Patent ID: 6384967
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An illumination apparatus used for a microscope to guide illumination light to an objective lens attached to a revolving nosepiece, comprising:a light source for radiating the illumination light; an optical system for guiding the illumination light radiated from the light source to the objective lens; an aperture diaphragm switching section, provided in the optical system and having a plurality of aperture diaphragms and a light shielding portion, for switching the aperture diaphragm on the illumination light, linked with motion of the revolving nosepiece, when switching an observation method or the objective lens; and a control circuit for making control so as to shield the illumination light by means of the light shielding portion of the aperture diaphragm switching section, when switching an observation method or the objective lens, wherein the control circuit shields the illumination light by means of the light shielding portion, before switching an observation method or the objective lens, and makes control such that one of the aperture diaphragms that matches with the observation method or the objective lens is positioned on the illumination light, after switching the observation method or the objective lens.