Systems and methods for imaging using a microscope system comprising removeable or replaceable component parts. Such systems and methods employ semi-kinetic coupling for easy, tool-free attachment of the microscope system to a baseplate. Discussed systems and methods may include simultaneous imaging and stimulation using a microscope system. The microscope system can have a relatively small size compared to an average microscope system.

A scanning probe microscope includes an observation device configured to output an observation signal acquired by observing a sample containing particles, and an information processing device. The information processing device is configured to acquire the observation signal, generate an observation signal based on the observation signal each time the observation signal corresponding to one observation region of the observation device is acquired, count the number of particle images included in the observation image each time the observation image is generated, terminate an acquisition of the observation signal when a counted total number of particle images becomes greater than a predetermined threshold, and execute a particle analysis on a generated observation image.

A scanning probe microscope includes an observation device configured to output an observation signal acquired by observing a sample containing particles, and an information processing device. The information processing device is configured to acquire the observation signal, generate an observation signal based on the observation signal each time the observation signal corresponding to one observation region of the observation device is acquired, count the number of particle images included in the observation image each time the observation image is generated, terminate an acquisition of the observation signal when a counted total number of particle images becomes greater than a predetermined threshold, and execute a particle analysis on a generated observation image.

An adapter configured to be optically coupled to a plurality of microscopes and having (i) a first microscope interface configured to optically couple a first microscope system to an optical element that is in optical communication with an optical probe to provide first imaging data of a sample, and (ii) a second microscope interface configured to optically couple a second microscope system to the optical element to provide second imaging data of the sample. An optical imaging apparatus and method utilizing such adapter.

An adapter configured to be optically coupled to a plurality of microscopes and having (i) a first microscope interface configured to optically couple a first microscope system to an optical element that is in optical communication with an optical probe to provide first imaging data of a sample, and (ii) a second microscope interface configured to optically couple a second microscope system to the optical element to provide second imaging data of the sample. An optical imaging apparatus and method utilizing such adapter.