# US 2014/0153088 A1 · Slider for sliding into the observation beam path of a microscope > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153088 A1 - Document ID: US20140153088A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/008,999 - Filed: 2012-02-27 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-01 - Assignees: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH - Inventors: Joerg Schaffer; Peter Schnuell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153088A1 ## CPC - G02B 21/0092: {Polarisation microscopes} - G02B 7/006: {Filter holders} - G02B 21/14: affording illumination for phase-contrast observation - G02B 21/34: Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract The invention relates to an optical assembly that can be interposed into the observation beam path of a microscope, comprising a first mount. In the first mount, a stack of optical elements for a polarization optical, differential interference contrast method, is arranged to facilitate a first observation method. The stack comprises, inter alia, a polarizer, polarization-optical shearing elements, and an analyzer. The analyzer is arranged in the stack with regard to its polarization direction in a predetermined orientation relative to the polarization direction of the polarizer. The stack of optical elements in the first mount is arranged such as to be interchangeable. Further, the assembly comprises at least one additional mount for receiving optical elements for at least one additional observation method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical assembly adapted to be selectively interposed into the observation beam path of a microscope, the optical assembly comprising a first socket and a stack of optical elements to facilitate a polarizing, differential interference contrast method as a first observation method, the stack of optical elements being arranged in the first socket, the stack of optical elements comprising a polarizer, polarizing shearing elements, and an analyzer is arranged in the stack in such a way that a polarizing direction of the analyzer has a permanently fixed orientation relative to a polarizing direction of the polarizer, the stack of optical elements in the first socket arranged so as to be selectively exchangeable, and wherein the assembly comprises at least one more socket for receiving optical elements to facilitate at least one additional observation method. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical elements of the stack are cemented to each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the first socket is a slide-in pocket, and the stack of optical elements is combined into a slide-in unit to be inserted into the slide-in pocket. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The optical assembly of claim 3, wherein the slide-in unit is provided with a knurled screw for the lateral displacement of the stack of optical elements in the slide-in unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the polarizing shearing elements comprise two wedge prisms. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the polarizer and the analyzer comprise polyvinyl alcohol sheet material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the polarizer or the analyzer is cemented to the shearing elements, and wherein the stack of optical elements is cemented to a glass cover slip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein, as additional sockets, a second socket and a third socket are provided, and in the second socket or the third socket there are arranged optical elements for bright-field observation, or one or several filters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The optical assembly of claim 8, wherein in the third socket there is arranged a polarizer for transmitted-light observation with polarization contrast or for a differential interference contrast method. ### Claim 10 (canceled) ### Claim 11 A microscope having an observation beam path, and an optical assembly selectively interposable into the observation beam path, the optical assembly comprising: a first socket and a stack of optical elements to facilitate a polarizing, differential interference contrast method as a first observation method, the stack of optical elements being arranged in the first socket, the stack of optical elements comprising: a polarizer; polarizing shearing elements; and an analyzer, wherein the polarizer, polarizing shearing elements, and the analyzer are arranged in the stack in such a way that a polarizing direction of the analyzer has a permanently fixed orientation relative to a polarizing direction of the polarizer, the stack of optical elements in the first socket arranged so as to be selectively exchangeable, and wherein the assembly comprises at least one more socket for receiving optical elements to facilitate at least one additional observation method. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The microscope of claim 11, further comprising a revolving nosepiece and a pocket in which the optical assembly is selectively received, the pocket arranged in the observation beam path between the revolving nosepiece and an eyepiece tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The microscope of claim 11, wherein the optical elements of the stack of optical elements are cemented to each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The microscope of claim 11, wherein the first socket of the optical assembly is a slide-in pocket, and the stack of optical elements is combined into a slide-in unit to be inserted into the slide-in pocket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The microscope of claim 14, wherein the slide-in unit has a knurled screw for the lateral displacement of the stack of optical elements in the slide-in unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The microscope of claim 11, wherein the polarizing shearing elements comprise two wedge prisms. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The microscope of claim 11, wherein the polarizer and the analyzer comprise polyvinyl alcohol sheet material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The microscope of claim 11, wherein at least one of the polarizer or the analyzer is cemented to the shearing elements, and wherein the stack of optical elements is cemented to a glass cover slip. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The microscope of claim 11, wherein, as additional sockets, a second socket and a third socket are provided, and in the second socket or the third socket there are arranged optical elements for bright-field observation, or one or several filters. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The microscope of claim 19, wherein in the third socket there is arranged a polarizer for transmitted-light observation with polarization contrast or for a differential interference contrast method.