Microscope system

The present microscope system has: a microscope, which has a light source, an aperture stop, a condenser lens, and an objective lens; a camera, which has a microlens array and an image pickup element; and an image processing unit, which constitutes a computer. The image processing unit divides a plurality of pixels allocated to each of the microlenses into bright-field image detection regions to be used for detecting bright-field images, and dark-field image detection regions to be used for detecting darkfield images, in accordance with the size of an aperture of the aperture stop. The image processing unit generates bright-field image data of a sample and darkfield image data of the sample.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a microscope system.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Bright-field observation and darkfield observation are typical methods for microscope observation. For example, in the semiconductor manufacturing process, bright-field observation is used for observing pattern defects or the like, and darkfield observation is used for observing a mirror surface, flaws, dust, and the like which are difficult to see using bright-field observation (e.g., see patent document 1).

PRIOR ARTS LIST

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, it is difficult to carry out these observation methods simultaneously. Also, when an attempt is made to switch between these observation methods in accordance with the type and characteristics of a sample, the brightness of the illuminating light and the state of the stop must be adjusted in conformance to the observation method after each instance of modification, and this requires laborious operation.

In conventional microscopy, switching the observation method involves time-consuming steps in that image pickup must be carried out for each method even when the field of view is the same. Furthermore, each photograph is acquired and saved as a separate image file, and management is therefore arduous in that, among other reasons, file names must be devised so that the relationship or the like between this plurality of image files can be understood at a later time, and a save location must be obtained because the data becomes voluminous.

The present invention was developed in view of the problems described above, and an object thereof is to provide a microscope system that can simultaneously acquire, e.g., a bright-field image and a darkfield image.

Means to Solve the Problems

The microscope system of the present invention for achieving the abovementioned objects comprises: an illumination optical system having a numerical aperture-stipulating member for stipulating a numerical aperture of illumination light from a light source; an objective lens for receiving light from a sample irradiated by the illumination light; a micro optical element array composed of a plurality of micro optical elements arranged in positions where light is received from the sample via the objective lens; an image pickup element for generating image pickup data on the basis of light received by a plurality of pixels via the micro optical elements, the plurality of pixels being allocated to each of the micro optical elements; and an image processing unit for carrying out a predetermined process on image pickup data generated by the image pickup element, wherein, the image processing unit specifies a first pixel region and a second pixel region from among the plurality of pixels allocated to the micro optical elements, in accordance with the numerical aperture of the illumination light, the focal distance of the objective lens and numerical aperture of the objective lens, generates first image data of the sample by processing the image pickup data obtained on the basis of the light received in the first pixel region, and generates second image data of the sample by processing the image pickup data obtained on the basis of the light received in the second pixel region.

The microscope system described above preferably comprises a display unit for displaying the image pickup data having been subjected to the predetermined process by the image processing unit, wherein the display unit receives an output from the image processing unit and simultaneously displays the first image data and the second image data.

In the microscope system described above, it is preferred that the numerical aperture-stipulating member be a variable aperture stop, and the size of the aperture of the variable aperture stop be adjusted to vary the numerical aperture of the illumination light.

In the microscope system described above, it is preferred that the numerical aperture-stipulating member be a spatial optical modulation element for modulating the intensity distribution of the illumination light, and that the amount of modulation of the spatial optical modulation element be adjusted to vary the numerical aperture of the illumination light.

In the microscope system described above, it is preferred that the first image data be bright-field image data and that the second image data be darkfield image data.

Another microscope system of the present invention comprises: an illumination optical system having an optical member in which slit-shaped regions having mutually different transmission factors in relation to illumination light from the light source have been set; an objective lens for receiving light from a sample irradiated by the illumination light; a micro optical element array composed of a plurality of micro optical elements arranged in positions where light is received from the sample via the objective lens; an image pickup element for generating image pickup data on the basis of light received by a plurality of pixels via the micro optical elements, the plurality of pixels being allocated to each of the micro optical elements; and an image processing unit for carrying out a predetermined process on image pickup data generated by the image pickup element, wherein in accordance with the size of the slit-shaped regions, the focal distance of the objective lens and numerical aperture of the objective lens, the image processing unit generates contrast observation image data of the sample by processing the image pickup data obtained on the basis of the light received by a plurality of pixel regions from among the plurality of pixels allocated to the micro optical elements, and generates bright-field image data of the sample by processing the image pickup data obtained on the basis of the light received by a predetermined pixel.

In the microscope system described above, it is furthermore preferred that the optical member be a spatial optical modulation element for modulating the intensity distribution of the illumination light, and the slit-shaped regions can be set in an arbitrary position.

In the microscope system described above, it is furthermore preferred that the micro optical element array be disposed in a position substantially conjugate with the sample, and the image pickup plane of the image pickup element be disposed in a position substantially conjugate with the pupil plane of the objective lens.

In the microscope system described above, it is furthermore preferred that the micro optical element array be disposed in a position substantially conjugate with the pupil plane of the objective lens, and the image pickup plane of the image pickup element be disposed in a position substantially conjugate with the sample.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a microscope system that can simultaneously acquire a bright-field image and a darkfield image in a single photograph.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description below, the same reference numerals are used for mutually the same or corresponding constituent elements, and a duplicative description may be omitted.

First, an outline of the optical system of the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 1, the present optical system has: a light source11, an aperture stop12, and a condenser lens13, and also has an illumination optical system10for irradiating a sample S with illumination light, an objective lens14, and a microlens array15composed of a two-dimensionally arranged plurality of microlenses ML, and an image pickup element16.

In the present embodiment, the microlens array15is placed in the plane in which the surface of the sample S (hereinafter referred to at times as “sample surface S”) is to be imaged by the objective lens14, and the image pickup element16is placed in a position set at the focal distance of the microlenses ML. In this case, the image pickup surface of the image pickup element16is substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of the objective lens14(via the microlenses ML). The image of the sample formed on the microlens array15by this configuration is divided by the microlenses ML, and the pupil images that correspond to the divided regions of the sample image (sample S) is formed on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16. In other words, when a plurality of the pupil images thus formed is superimposed on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16, the pupil images that correspond to the divided regions are the pupil images of an objective lens formed by a so-called ordinary lens.

In the present embodiment as described above, a configuration was described in which the microlens array15is arranged in a position substantially conjugate with the sample S, and the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16and the exit pupil of the objective lens14are substantially conjugate, but it is also possible to use a configuration in which the microlens array15is arranged in a position substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of the objective lens14, and the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16and the sample surface S are substantially conjugate. The same effect can be obtained in either case. In other words, the pupil image formed by the microlens array15is divided by the microlenses ML and the sample images that correspond to the divided regions of the pupil image are formed on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16.

The aperture stop12specifies the numerical aperture of the illumination light emitted from the light source11. The aperture stop12has a circular aperture12ain the center, as shown inFIG. 2, and the numerical aperture of the illumination light can be varied by adjusting the size of the aperture12a.

In this case, the maximum diameter of the aperture12ain the aperture stop12is different depending on the combination of the condenser lens13and the objective lens14. Also, the size of the aperture12ain the aperture stop12is determined by the pupil diameter of the objective lens14and the magnification from the pupil of the objective lens14to the aperture stop12. However, the magnification from the pupil of the objective lens14to the image pickup element16does not vary even when the objective lens is switched, and it is therefore sufficient to have the information about the objective lens (numerical aperture and focal distance).

FIG. 1shows the numerical aperture of the illumination light (the size of the aperture12ain the aperture stop12) to be less than the numerical aperture of the objective lens14, and shows that direct light does not reach the periphery of the pupil of the objective lens14.

The microlens array15is an optical element in which a plurality of microlenses ML is lined up in two dimensions. In the example ofFIG. 1, a 3×3 microlens array is envisioned in order to simplify the description, and three of those microlenses in the vertical direction are shown in the drawing. The actual number of microlenses ML can be set, as appropriate, in accordance with the resolution required in the image signal to be picked up by the image pickup element16.

The image pickup element16receives light from the microlens array15to acquire image pickup data. The image pickup element16is, e.g., a sensor composed of a two-dimensionally arrayed plurality of charge coupled devices (CCD), complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) or the like, and has a predetermined number of pixels allocated in correspondence to the microlenses ML so as to receive light that has passed through the microlenses ML constituting the microlens array15. The number of pixels that a single microlens ML covers is, e.g., 8×8, and the luminous flux that passes through each microlens ML is received by the corresponding pixels.

Using a configuration such as that described above, a plurality of images from the exit pupil of the objective lens14is formed on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16, the objective lens being formed by the microlenses ML for each region of the sample image (sample8) divided by the microlens array15. Hereinbelow, regions in which an image can be formed by the microlenses ML in the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16will be referred to as ML regions.

FIG. 3is a view showing an example of the ML regions (dotted lines in the drawing) on the image plane of an image pickup element16. InFIG. 3, each of the 24×24 squares arrayed in the form of a grating represents a pixel on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16, and the 3×3 circles drawn by dotted lines represent ML regions formed by the microlenses ML, i.e., pupil images of the objective lens14formed by the microlenses ML in each of the regions of the sample image (sample S) divided by the microlens array15. In other words, in the example ofFIG. 3, the images formed by the nine microlenses ML constituting the microlens array15form ML regions on an 8×8 pixel group on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16.

It is possible to use the image signals obtained in these nine ML regions to determine on which microlens ML among the plurality of microlenses ML constituting the microlens array15the light incident on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element is incident, and through which position of the pupil in the objective lens14the light passed. In other words, when the light rays are considered in geometric terms, the position in which the light rays are incident on the image plane (the position of the microlens array15) and the position at which the light rays emerge from the exit pupil of objective lens14can be known, and the light rays incident on an arbitrary image plane can be specified. Computation related to collecting light in an arbitrary image plane on the optical axis is thereby made possible (e.g., the refocus technique described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-4471), and picture images in arbitrary image planes can be acquired.

In the present embodiment, the interior of each of the ML regions is divided into bright-field image detection regions A1(the white portions ofFIG. 3) to be used for detecting bright-field images (which are regions in which direct illumination light is incident), and dark-field image detection regions A2(the hatched portion ofFIG. 3) to be used for detecting darkfield images (which are regions in which direct illumination light is not incident), in accordance with the numerical aperture of the illumination light stipulated by the aperture stop12, specifically, the size of the aperture stop12ain the aperture stop12, and the numerical aperture and focal distance of the objective lens14. Bright-field image data of a sample S is generated from image signals obtained by the bright-field image detection regions A1in each of the ML regions, darkfield image data of the sample S is generated from image signals obtained by the dark-field image detection regions A2in each of the ML regions, and a bright-field image and a darkfield image can be obtained in an arbitrary image plane as described above.

The ratio (ratio of luminous energy) of the bright-field image detection regions A1and the dark-field image detection regions A2in each of the ML regions can be modified when an adjustable numerical aperture of the illumination light stipulated by the aperture stop12is used. For example, bright-field observation uses light detected only in the bright-field image detection regions A1in the ML regions ofFIG. 3, and the size of the aperture12ain the aperture stop12can therefore be increased if an increase in resolving power of the bright field is desired. Also, darkfield observation uses light detected only in the dark-field image detection regions A2in the ML regions ofFIG. 3, and the size of the aperture12ain the aperture stop12can therefore be reduced if an increase in luminous energy of the bright field is desired.

When the optical system described above is used in this manner, bright-field observation and darkfield observation can be simultaneously carried out. Furthermore, the combination ratio thereof can be modified, as appropriate, in accordance with the application and/or the object to be measured.

Next, the principles of the optical system shown inFIG. 1as described above will be described for the case in which application is made to a microscope system.

FIG. 4is a view showing the overall configuration of the microscope system in which the optical system described above has been applied.

The microscope system has a microscope20, which has a microscope main unit21for holding a stage21afor supporting a sample S, a transmission-illumination optical system10A for irradiating illumination light onto the sample S, and a objective lens14for collecting light from the sample S; a camera30for picking up an image of the sample S; and a computer40, as shown inFIG. 4. The objective lens14is composed of a single lens inFIG. 4in order to simplify the description, but the objective lens may be composed of a plurality of lens as required.

The transmission-illumination optical system10A has, in sequence of the optical path, a light source11, a lens L11, a deflection mirror M1, a lens L12, an aperture stop12, and a condenser lens13.

In accordance with the transmission-illumination optical system10A having the configured described above, illumination light emitted from the light source11passes through the lens L11, is reflected by the deflection mirror M1and turned in the upward direction, passes through the lens L12to become substantially parallel light, and is thereafter irradiated by the condenser lens13by way of the aperture stop12onto the sample S placed on the stage21a. At this point, the light irradiated onto the sample S has an intensity distribution that is biased in the shape of a ring in accordance with the size of the aperture12ain the aperture stop12(seeFIG. 2).

The camera30is mounted on the microscope20, and has a microlens array15and an image pickup element16.

In the microscope system shown inFIG. 4, light emitted from the sample S illuminated by the illumination optical system10A is formed by the objective lens14in a plane that includes the vertex position of the microlenses ML constituting the microlens array15in the same manner as the optical system ofFIG. 1, and is conjugate with the plane that includes the focal position of the microlenses ML. In other words, the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16in the camera30is substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of the objective lens14via each of the microlenses ML of the microlens array15. The sample image formed on the microlens array15is divided by each of the microlenses ML, and pupil images that correspond to the divided regions of the sample image (sample S) are formed on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16. The image pickup element16of the camera30picks up the pupil images that correspond to the divided regions of the image of the sample S and outputs the image signals thereof.

A computer40is connected to the microscope20and the camera30, and has a control unit41, a drive unit42, an input device43, an image processing unit44, a storage medium45, a display control unit46, and a display47.

The control unit41controls the drive unit42, the image processing unit44, and the display control unit46in compliance with instructions inputted by a user via the input device43.

The drive unit42drives the image pickup element16and outputs image signals from the image pickup element16to the image processing unit44.

The image processing unit44carries out predetermined image processing on the basis of the image signals fed by the drive unit42. The image processing unit44also stores the image data obtained by image processing in a memory card or another storage medium45, and displays the image data on the display47by using the display control unit46. The details of image processing performed by the image processing unit44will be described together with the later-described operation of the image processing unit44.

Next, the image generation processing executed by the image processing unit44in the computer40will be described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 5.

In step S11, the image processing unit44acquires image signals outputted from the image pickup element16.

In step S12, the image processing unit44generates (combines) the images at an arbitrary object distance on the basis of the image signals outputted from the image pickup element16.

In the present embodiment, the image processing unit44divides the plurality of pixels allocated to each of the microlenses, i.e., each of the ML regions into bright-field image detection regions A1(the white portions in the center area of the ML regions inFIG. 3) to be used for detecting bright-field images of the sample S, and dark-field image detection regions A2(the hatched portion of the ML regions inFIG. 3) to be used for detecting darkfield images of the sample S, in accordance with the numerical aperture (e.g., the size of the aperture12a) of the illumination light stipulated by the aperture stop12, and the numerical aperture and focal distance of the objective lens14. Next, the image pickup data obtained on the basis of light received in the bright-field image detection regions A1of each of the ML regions is combined to generate bright-field image data of the sample S, the image pickup data obtained on the basis of light received in the dark-field image detection regions A2of each of the ML regions is combined to generate darkfield image data of the sample S, and picture images on arbitrary image planes (defocus planes) when offset in the optical axis direction from the image plane (the position of the microlens array15) are then combined on the basis of the image data.

In step S13, the image processing unit44obtains information about the distance in the depth direction from the plurality of generated images (picture images in arbitrary image planes) to thereby generate a stereoscopic image of the sample S, and then the image generation processing is ended.

As described above, a plurality of picture images in an arbitrary image plane is combined from the image signals obtained by the image processing unit44by using the configuration of the optical system inFIG. 1, information about the distance in the depth direction is calculated from the picture images in an arbitrary image plane, and a stereoscopic image of the sample S in the bright-field and darkfield is simultaneously generated.

Images at an arbitrary object distance may be obtained on the basis of step S12ofFIG. 5. It is furthermore possible to aggregate images at different object distances and obtain an image having considerable depth. Also, images at all object distances can be aggregated to obtain a so-called all-focused image that is focused in all positions.

In the microscope system described above, user operation is implemented by operation of a mouse, keyboard, or other input device43based on graphical user interface (GUI) display screen displayed on the display47. The GUI display screen is generated by the display control unit46in accordance with instructions from the control unit41. The display control unit46superimposes a predetermined icon on the image data of the sample S obtained by the camera30mounted on the microscope20and generates a GUI display screen.

FIG. 6is a diagram showing an example of the GUI display screen displayed on the display47. InFIG. 6, a sample image display region51for displaying images of the sample S, and various icons52to55are arranged in an image display region47aof the display47.

The icon52disposed below a sample image display region51ais used for receiving user operation related to setting the imaging (observation) method for an image displayed in the sample image display region51a. Operating the icon52makes it possible to selectively set a bright-field image such as that shown inFIG. 7A, an image in which the bright-field and the darkfield have been combined as shown inFIGS. 7B to 7D, or a darkfield image as shown inFIG. 7E, as the image to be displayed in the sample image display region51a.

Rather than displaying a bright-field image, a darkfield image, or a combined image of a bright-field image and a darkfield image as inFIG. 6, it is also possible to line up and display these three images at the same time as the image to be displayed in the sample imaged splay region51a.

The icons53to55disposed in the region to the right of the image display region47aare used for receiving user operation related to setting image display conditions. In the present embodiment, the icon53is operated to set the combination ratio between the bright-field image and the darkfield image, the icon54is operated to set the size of the aperture12ain the aperture stop12, and the icon55is operated to set the objective lens14(the numerical aperture and magnification (focal distance)) to be used. The icons provided on the GUI display screen are not limited to these and may be suitably increased or reduced in number.

In accordance with such a configuration, merely operating the icons52to55allows the user to display a desired observation image such asFIGS. 7A to 7Eon the screen in accordance with the type of sample S and/or the intended use of the observation.

In a specific example of the case in which the sample S is a reticle, the icon53can be operated to increase the ratio of the bright-field image displayed in the manner ofFIG. 7Bif screening for flaws while the reticle pattern is viewed. Also, when there is a desire to avoid missing small flaws in the reticle, the ratio of the darkfield image displayed in the manner ofFIG. 7Ccan be increased. Naturally, as shown inFIG. 7D, it is also possible to use an image in which the ratio of the bright-field image and the darkfield image is equal to carry out the inspection.

In the case that a reticle is to be inspected in a conventional microscope system, an image of the reticle is picked by a camera mounted on the microscope system, and an image of the reticle is projected on a display. However, since bright-field observation and darkfield observation cannot be carried out simultaneously, switching must be carried out for each observation. Although it is possible to capture the outer shape of the reticle and to recognize a pattern from a bright-field observation (image), it is difficult to check for flaws. Nevertheless, flaws in the reticle can be readily viewed from a darkfield observation (image), but it is difficult to perceive the outer shape of the reticle and to specify the position of flaws. Also, assuming one were to view and compare the bright-field image and the darkfield image to specify the position of flaws, the files are different and must therefore be skillfully correlated and saved, or it is otherwise difficult to confirm which separately acquired bright-field image corresponds to which darkfield image.

In contrast to the above, using the microscope system ofFIG. 4as described above makes it possible to simultaneously acquire a bright-field image and a darkfield image of the sample S, and to save and display the images on a screen. It is furthermore possible to modify, as appropriate, the combination ratio of the images in accordance with the application and/or the object to be measured. As a result, the image to be displayed on the display47can be optimized and the precision for observing the sample S can be improved via the display47or another display device. It is also possible to reduce the burden on the user and to bring about an improvement in work efficiency.

The configuration requirements of the embodiments have been described above, but it is apparent that the present invention is not limited thereby.

For example, the case in which a transmission-illumination optical system10A (seeFIG. 4) is used was described as the illumination optical system in the microscope system described above, but it is also possible to use an epi-illumination optical system. In this case, the epi-illumination optical system10B has, in sequence along the optical path, a light source11, a lens L21, and aperture stop12, a lens L22, a dichroic mirror M2, and an objective lens14that doubles as a condenser lens, as shown inFIG. 8. Illumination light emitted from the light source11passes through the lens L21, the aperture stop12, and lens102in sequence, is reflected by the dichroic mirror M2and turned downward, and is thereafter irradiated via the objective lens14onto the sample S placed on the stage21a, but the microscope system described above can otherwise be used without modification and simultaneous observation of the bright-field and the darkfield can be carried out.

In this case, the microlens array15is disposed in a position substantially conjugate with the sample S, and the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16is conjugate with the pupil plane of the objective lens14. However, the microlens array15may be disposed in a position substantially conjugate with the t pupil of the objective lens14, and the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16may be disposed in a position that is conjugate with the sample S. In either case, the same effect as in the microscope system ofFIG. 4can be obtained. In other words, the pupil image formed by the microlens array15is divided by each of the microlenses ML and the sample images that correspond to the divided regions of the pupil image are formed on the image pickup plane of the image pickup element16.

Also, in the embodiment described above, an aperture stop12in which the size of the aperture12acan be varied was used as means for stipulating the numerical aperture of the illumination light, but instead of this, it is also possible to use a spatial optical modulation element60that can modulate the intensity distribution of the illumination light.

The spatial optical modulation element60is capable of modulating the intensity distribution of illumination light, as shown inFIGS. 10A to 10E, and may be, e.g., a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), a liquid crystal display, a liquid crystal on silicon (LODS), or the like.

The illumination optical system10′ in which such a spatial optical modulation element60is used has, in sequence of the optical path, a light source11, the element60, and a condenser lens13, as shown inFIG. 9. Illumination light emitted from the light source11is modified in intensity in a desired position by the spatial optictal modulation element60, and is thereafter irradiated via the condenser lens13onto the sample S placed on the stage21a, but the microscope system described above can otherwise be used without modification and simultaneous observation of the bright-field and the darkfield can be carried out (seeFIGS. 4 and 8).

However, in the case that bright-field observation is to be carried out, a ring-shaped pattern such as that shown inFIG. 10Ain which the white portion in the center has a transmission ratio of 1 and the other shaded portions have a transmission ratio of 0 is displayed on the spatial optical modulation element60. In the case that darkfield observation is to be carried out, a ring-shaped pattern such as that shown inFIG. 10Bin which the black portion in the center has a transmission ratio of 0 and the other white portions have a transmission ratio of 0 is displayed on the spatial optical modulation element60. The light emitted on the sample S has an intensity distribution that is biased in accordance with the ring-shaped pattern displayed on such a spatial optical modulation element60.

The parameters of the spatial optical modulation element60are the ring diameter, the ring width, the transmission ratio inside the ring, and the transmission ratio outside the ring, of the ring-shaped pattern to be displayed. Therefore, these parameters can be adjusted in accordance with the application and/or the object to be measured, whereby the desired numerical aperture of the illumination light can be set, and bright-field and darkfield observation can be carried out simultaneously in the same manner as when the aperture stop12is used as described above.

In the spatial optical modulation element60, a pattern composed of a low transmission ratio region61a, an intermediate transmission ratio region61b, and a high transmission ratio region61cin which the transmission ratios of the slit shapes are mutually different such as shown inFIG. 10Ccan be displayed, whereby Hoffman modulation contrast observation (hereinafter may also be referred to as contrast observation) can be carried out. In accordance with this observation method, the image can be observed as a stereoscopic image having directionality and intensified contrast even when the sample S is transparent (in this case an egg cell), as shown inFIGS. 11A and 11B.

The transmission ratio of the high transmission ratio regions can be set to 100%, and an image of the sample S can be generated from image signals obtained from a plurality of pixels in ML regions that correspond to the high transmission ratio regions, whereby a bright-field image (in an arbitrary image plane) can be generated. In other words, in this case, an image of contrast observation and an image of bright-field observation can be simultaneously acquired in a single photograph.

In order to carry out contrast observation in a conventional microscope system, it is necessary to insert a light-blocking member in the position of the pupil of the objective lens, to prepare dedicated objective lens, or to find other means, and such is very costly. However, using a spatial optical modulation element60such as that described above allows manufacturing costs to be kept low because contrast observation can be performed without the need for a light-blocking member or a dedicated objective lens. Furthermore, there is no member for reducing light in the optical path from the objective lens to the camera, and it is therefore possible to obtain a bright, excellent sample image.

Conventionally, in contrast observation, the slit on the condenser side must be rotated, the objective lens must also be rotated, and other laborious and very difficult work must be performed in the rase that the illumination light irradiation direction is to be changed in relation to the sample S. However, in the present embodiment, the pattern to be displayed on the spatial optical modulation element60is modified as if rotation has occurred fromFIG. 10CtoFIG. 10E, and the pixel position in the ML regions used during image acquisition is merely modified, whereby the illumination direction can be modified in a siruple manner. Here,FIG. 11Ashows an image of the sample (egg cell) picked up by receiving illumination light from a certain direction, andFIG. 11Bshows an image of the sample (egg cell) picked up by varying the illumination direction.

The parameters of the spatial optical modulation element60during contrast observation are the slit width, the transmission ratio of the slit part, and the slit position. These parameters can be adjusted by suitably operating an icon72for adjusting the contrast and an icon73for setting the illumination direction of the illumination light, while a sample image display region71is viewed, the sample image display region71being provided on, e.g., a GUI display screen such as that shown inFIG. 12and being used for displaying the contrast observation image of the sample S. In the GUI display screen shown inFIG. 12, an icon74for selectively setting the objective lens to be used is also provided in addition to the icons72and73for parameter adjustment, and contrast observation can be carried out in a more optimal state.

As described above, using a spatial optical modulation element60in the above-described microscope system shown inFIGS. 4 and 8makes it possible to arbitrarily select bright-field observation, darkfield observation, or contrast observation by adjustment of the pattern to be displayed on the element60. An image of bright-field observation and an image of darkfield observation can be simultaneously acquired in a single photograph.

A stereoscopic microscope was described above, but it is apparent that application can also be made to an inverted microscope.

EXPLANATION OF NUMERALS AND CHARACTERS

10,10′: illumination optical system

11: light source

12: aperture stop

14: objective lens

16: image pickup element

41: control unit

42: drive unit

43: input device

44: image processing unit

45: storage medium

46: display control unit

60: spatial optical modulation element