Abstract: A method for counting photons using a photomultiplier includes obtaining a measurement signal from a raw signal produced by the photomultiplier by correcting the raw signal for a noise signal and/or an offset, wherein an incident photon produces a pulse in the raw signal. The measurement signal is integrated over time to form an analog integrated measurement signal. A number of photons that are incident in the photomultiplier is ascertained by comparing a value of the analog integrated measurement signal to an integral proportionality value which corresponds to a specific number of photons incident in the photomultiplier.

Abstract: A microscope for imaging a sample includes an illumination unit for emitting illumination light to the sample; a detector for capturing a detection light originating from the sample; an optical system for focusing the illumination light onto the sample and focusing the detection light onto the detector; and a scanning unit for scanning the sample using the illumination light. The illumination unit emits the illumination light as separate illumination light beams which can be focused on spatially mutually separated, strip-like sample regions simultaneously. The detector captures the detection light in the form of separate detection light beams originating from the sample regions simultaneously and in a spatially mutually separated manner. The sample regions are in sample planes, and the detector having sub-detectors, which are each assigned to a sample plane and capture a detection light beam that originates from a respective sample plane.

Abstract: A method for examining a sample by light sheet microscopy includes illuminating a sample surface located in an illumination plane by a light sheet propagating in the illumination plane. A position of a light sheet focal point of the light sheet in the illumination plane is moved by changing an optical length of a light path of illumination light forming the light sheet. Detection light emanating from the illumination plane is detected.

Abstract: A method for optically examining or manipulating a microscopic sample includes positioning the sample in front of a lens which is arranged both in an observation beam path and in an illumination beam path of a microscope which has a main beam splitter which separates the paths. An illumination device is selected depending on the type of sample or examination, or a manipulation of the sample to be carried out. The selected illumination device is coupled in a predefined desired position to a mechanical coupling interface of the microscope. An illumination light from the selected illumination device is directed along the illumination beam path to the main beam splitter and from there to the lens and through the lens onto the sample. No optical component for imaging, focusing and/or defocusing is arranged on a light path of the illumination light between the optical apparatus and the lens.

Abstract: A method for a deconvolution of a digital input image (I(xi)) having a plurality of input voxels (xi), in particular a digital input image obtained from a medical observation device, such as a microscope or endoscope and/or using fluorescence, includes computing a local signal-to-noise ratio (SNR(xi)) within an input region (R(xi)) of the digital input image, the input region consisting of a subset of the plurality of input voxels of the digital input image and surrounding the current input voxel. A noise component (?(SNR)) is computed from the local signal-to-noise ratio, the noise component representing image noise (([h*f](xi), n(xi)) in the deconvolution. The noise component is limited to a predetermined minimum noise value (?min) for a local signal-to-noise ratio above a predetermined upper SNR threshold value (SNRmax) and is limited to a predetermined maximum noise value (?max) for a local signal-to-noise ratio below a predetermined lower SNR threshold value (SNRmin).

Abstract: A method for generating a control signal, having at least one frequency component, for an acousto-optical element, from one frequency spectrum having the at least one frequency, or from multiple frequency spectra which together have the at least one frequency, includes the step of obtaining, from the one frequency spectrum or from the multiple frequency spectra, one transmit signal in the time domain in each case via an inverse Fourier transform. The one or the multiple transmit signals are modulated via a single-sideband modulation onto a carrier signal having a carrier frequency in order to obtain one modulated signal in each case. The control signal is obtained as a real part of the one modulated signal or as a consolidation of the real parts of the multiple modulated signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell culture microscopy slide comprising an optically transparent generally flat supporting surface (20) including upper and lower opposed substrate surfaces (27,28). A peripheral frame (40) surrounds the substrate (20), the frame (40) having a lower frame surface (44) and an upper frame surface (42). The lower frame surface (44) and the lower substrate surface (28) are generally flush. The upper frame surface (42) lies above the upper substrate surface (27), to form a well (32), and the upper and lower frame surfaces (42,44) are continuously flat and generally parallel. The substrate is preferably glass having a thickness of 1.7 mm.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning an object in a scanning microscope includes at least one scanning unit configured to two-dimensionally scan the object using a light beam. The scanning unit includes at least one deflection element configured to deflect a light beam impinging thereon. The deflection element is rotationally symmetric in shape. At least one rotation device is configured to rotate the scanning unit about an axis of rotation so as to allow for image field rotation.

Abstract: A method for imaging a sample using a fluorescence microscope with stimulated emission depletion includes controlling the fluorescence microscope and an imaging process of the fluorescence microscope by a microscope controller. An overview image of a target region is generated with a second spatial resolution prior to the imaging process, the second spatial resolution being lower than a first spatial resolution used for scanning sample segments in the imaging process and higher than a third spatial resolution that has been adapted to an extent of an excitation light distribution. The overview image is analyzed to identify image regions without relevant image information. A radiant flux of the depletion light distribution is reduced within a scope of the imaging process when scanning sample segments which are assigned to the image regions without relevant image information.

Abstract: A light sheet microscope includes a specimen-side objective having an illumination device configured to provide a first illumination beam which is focused for forming a first light sheet for illuminating a specimen from a first direction, the first light sheet being inclined obliquely in relation to an optical axis of the objective and being guided through the objective. A detector is configured to detect light passing through the objective. The illumination device is further configured to provide at least one second illumination beam which is focused for forming at least one second light sheet for illuminating the specimen from at least one second direction that differs from the first direction, the at least one second light sheet being inclined obliquely in relation to the optical axis of the objective and being guided through the objective.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a detection unit having a color beam splitter arrangement with three beam splitter prisms, each having first, second and third prism surfaces. The first prism surfaces face in the same direction and are oriented parallel to one another at a right angle to an optical axis. The first and second prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. The second and third prism surfaces are oriented in each case at right or obtuse angles to one another. The third and first prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. A prismatic compensation element having first and second prism surfaces is assigned to each prism. The second prism surface of each of the compensation elements is arranged in a common plane with or parallel to the second prism surface of the respectively assigned prism.

Abstract: A light sheet microscope includes: a detection objective configured to image a target region of a sample located in a focal plane of the detection objective; an illumination objective configured to focus an illumination light beam in the sample, the detection objective and the illumination objective being opposite to one another, and the optical axis of the detection objective and the optical axis of the illumination objective being parallel to one another; a first light deflection device having at least one first deflection surface and one second deflection surface, which are each arranged offset to the optical axis of the detection objective and are configured to deflect the illumination light beam focused by the illumination objective in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the detection objective such that a deflected illumination light beam forms a light-sheet-like illumination light distribution focused in the focal plane.

Abstract: A method for examining a sample in light sheet fluorescence microscopy includes generating an illumination light beam using a light source. The illumination light beam is spatially split into at least two partial illumination light beams using a splitter. The partial illumination light beams are guided through an illumination objective shared by the partial illumination light beams. After the partial illumination light beams have passed through the illumination objective, at least one of the partial illumination light beams is deflected using at least one deflector such that the partial illumination light beams interfere with one another in an illumination plane so as to generate an illumination pattern in the illumination plane. An image of a sample region illuminated by the illumination pattern is produced, wherein detection light that emanates from the sample region reaches a position-sensitive detector through a detection objective.

Abstract: A method for performing a laser microdissection for cutting a dissectate from a specimen using a laser includes the step of providing the specimen in a light path of an illumination system. The specimen is illuminated by the illumination system. A detector detects light emanating from the specimen. The light detected by the detector is analyzed. It is determined, based on the analysis of the light detected by the detector, whether a receptacle for collecting the dissectate is disposed in a predetermined collection position, at which the dissectate is to be collected in the receptacle after it is cut from the specimen. Laser cutting of the dissectate from the specimen is initiated based on it having been determined that the receptacle is in the predetermined collection position.

Abstract: A fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy method with time-correlated single-photon counting includes using excitation light pulses separated in each case by a measurement interval to excite a sample to emit fluorescence photons. A detector signal that represents the captured fluorescence photons is generated. Detection times are determined based on the detector signal. Imaging is performed based on the detection times. The detection times of all captured fluorescence photons are compiled in a first data memory, common to a plurality of image pixels. The detection times of only those fluorescence photons which were captured in a predetermined number within the respective measurement intervals are compiled in a second data memory, common to the same plurality of image pixels. The detection times compiled in the data memories are combined within a calculation step. The results of the calculation step are stored in a third data memory.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanical holder for finely adjusting a position of an element attachable or attached to the mechanical holder includes a stationary fastening region configured to fasten the mechanical holder to a holding structure and a holding region configured as a mounting for the element. At least a first parallelogram linkage is disposed between the holding region and the fastening region. The first parallelogram linkage connects the holding region movably to the fastening region. The mechanical holder further includes a first movable actuator, by which the holding region is movable by the first parallelogram linkage along a first spatial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for light-sheet-like light illumination of a sample includes a light source configured to generate an illumination beam. A focusing system is configured to focus the illumination beam to form a light-sheet-like illumination light distribution, with which a focal plane of the sample can be illuminated. An imaging optical unit is configured to image the light-sheet-like illumination light distribution into the focal plane. A polarization element, arranged in a position conjugated to the focal plane between the focusing system and the imaging optical unit, is configured to split the illumination beam into two differently polarized sub-beams, which propagate into the imaging optical unit in different propagation directions, whereby the light-sheet-like illumination light distribution can be imaged by the imaging optical unit in the form of two differently polarized light-sheets, which from a same side of the focal plane are superimposed on each other in the focal plane.

Abstract: A laser microscope system includes a microscope and a lens defining an optical axis and a rear focal plane, as well as a laser and an optical laser system coupling a laser beam into the microscope such that it passes through the rear focal plane of the lens at a fixed point. The optical laser system has an offset lens movable along an axis of the laser beam path to move the laser beam focus in the direction of the optical axis. The optical laser system has a compensating lens arranged in the laser beam path and movable along the axis of the laser beam path. A controller and/or a mechanical coupling device carries out a movement of the compensating lens along the axis of the laser beam path when the lens is moved such that the laser beam continues to pass through the fixed point.