Patent ID: 6661509
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
A method for aligning beam paths in a microscope system having an illumination light beam path from a source to an objective lens of the microscope, the illumination light beam being focussed by the objective lens at a focal point in a sample position at which a sample may be located, a scattering light return beam path for scattering light collected from the sample position by the objective lens that extends to a light detector, and a visible light microscope beam path from the sample position through the objective lens to form an image of the sample position which may be observed by a viewer directly or with use of a video camera, comprising the steps of:(a) positioning a spatially limited entrance aperture in the sample position at an intended focal point of the objective lens; (b) passing illuminating light from the source on the illuminating beam path through the objective lens toward the entrance aperture positioned at the intended focal point and detecting the light passed through the entrance aperture, and adjusting the illumination beam path until the detected light is maximized; (c) positioning a spatially limited exit aperture in the sample position at the intended focal point of the objective lens; and (d) projecting light through the exit aperture located at the intended focal point into the objective lens and passing the light on the return beam path to the light detector and detecting the light by the detector, and adjusting the return beam path until the output of the light detector is maximized.