Patent ID: 7345814
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A microscope system comprising: a stage which is adapted to have an observation sample, including an observation object and a transparent member, placed thereon; an objective lens which is positioned to face the observation sample placed on the stage; a focusing driving unit which moves at least one of the stage and the objective lens to perform a focusing operation; and an autofocus unit which controls the focusing driving unit by a Through-the-Lens system to perform autofocusing for the transparent member; wherein the autofocus unit comprises: a laser light source which emits a laser light beam for focus detection; a beam diameter changing unit which changes a diameter of the laser light beam; and a power changing unit which changes a power of the laser light source; and wherein after the autofocusing is performed for the transparent member, the focusing driving unit performs offset driving to move at least one of the stage and the objective lens by a predetermined constant amount with respect to each other.