Patent ID: 7265899
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A stereoscopic microscope that enables a plurality of observers, including a first observer and a second observer to simultaneously observe substantially the same microscope image of an object, the stereoscopic microscope comprising: a first observation device for use by the first observer; a second observation device for use by the second observer; a stereoscopic microscope body that includes an objective optical system, a pair of zoom optical systems, a first reflective surface that deflects light paths from the objective optical system to a substantially horizontal direction, a second reflective surface that then deflects the light paths upward, and a third reflective surface that then deflects the light paths to a substantially horizontal direction, wherein the first through third reflective surfaces form a folded optical system and the pair of zoom optical systems is arranged within the folded optical system; a first connector that is positioned on the stereoscopic microscope body in the vicinity that the optical axis of the objective optical system intersects with the stereoscopic microscope body, said first connector for attaching the first observation device; a second connector that is installed on the stereoscopic microscope body at a position that is the same level as, or above, the position that the first connector is installed on the stereoscopic microscopic body; and a pupil splitter unit for splitting a light flux into two light fluxes is provided near a location conjugate with the exit pupil of one of the pair of zoom optical systems; wherein the first connector is located at a position on the stereoscopic microscope body, in relation to the optical axis of the objective optical system, that is closer to the objective optical system than is the position of the second connector, and the first and second connectors are arranged on opposite sides of the optical axis of the objective optical system as viewed in the direction of the horizontal optical path of the folded optical system.