FOLDED OPTICAL LARGE FORMAT PHOTOMICROGRAPHIC CAMERA SYSTEM

摘要

A photomicrographic camera system in which a mirror system is utilized to deflect the light beam emanating from the eyepiece (20) of a properly illuminated, compound optical microscope (10) horizontally outward to another mirror which then deflectsthe beam vertically downward to a film holder (36) containing a sensitized photographic film of paper material. An appropriate housing (32) confines the optical path and protects the film from stray light, while at the same time providing structural support for the mirrors and auxiliary photographic components, such as baffles (57), shutter (48), filters (46), polarizers (52) and/or analyzers, light meter, etc. The film or paper holder lies flat, and is supported by the same base (74) that is used to support the microscope. Since the projection distance is more than doubled, by going first upward to the first mirror and thence downward by the same amount or more, plus the length of the horizontal path, very large format images (e.g. 20" X 24") or larger can be achieved easily with a system sitting on top a standard desk in a room of conventional 8 foot ceiling height. Since the image falls onto the photographic material immediately beside the microscope, it is very easy for the worker to achieve critical focus by looking directly at the projected image while his hand controls the focus and/or mechanical stage translation knobs of his microscope. Provisions are also made to allow this system to couple the microscope to standard small format still or motion picture cameras, or video camera systems (77). As dictated by the optical requirements associated with the particular projection distance used, provisions are made by means of the appropriate eyepiece spacer (18) or contoured positive lens (for short systems) to insure that optimum resolution is achieved in the finished photograph. By reversing the optical path through the system, high resolution microphotographs, microdots, or images for microelectronic component fabrication can be obtained utilizing the same structure.