Patent ID: 6778323
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A confocal microscope adapted to focus a beam of light by way of a mask pattern member variably operating with a predetermined pattern and an objective lens, and to cause the beam of light reflected by a specimen to enter an image pickup means by way of said objective lens and said mask pattern member to produce an image of said specimen for observation, said microscope comprising:revolution detection means for detecting a rotary motion of a disk which forms said mask pattern member; input pickup tripper means for outputting a trigger signal to said image pickup means in synchronism with said rotary motion of said disk as detected by said revolution detection means; and distance trigger means for modifying a relative distance between said objective lens and said specimen along an optical axis of the objective lens in synchronism with said rotary motion of said disk as detected by said revolution detection means.