DIGITAL IMAGING MICROSCOPE

A compact digital imaging microscope includes a stage for holding a specimen , a lens assembly for collecting a beam of light transmitted through the specime n, and an adjustable beamsplitter assembly for splitting the beam between an eyepiece for viewing an image of the specimen and a CCD image detector to provide both a digital and an analog signal representing an image of the specimen. The use of a lens positioned along an optical path between the lens assembly and the image detector allows the image detector to be integrated compactly within the microscope and also allows th e image detector to capture an image whose viewable area is roughly the same as that viewable through the eyepiece. Furthermore, all electrical connections (other than output and power supply connections which are located at the base of the microscope) are internalized within the microscope.