Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope for examining microscopic and macroscopic objects is described. The microscope comprises: a scanning optical system having optical elements imaging the light generated by a laser onto an object to be examined; an objective provided in a working distance of at least 0.4 inches from an object holder; and a zoom optical system that is connected to the scanning optical system such that the light generated by the laser passes first through the scanning optical system, then through the zoom optical system, and is then imaged through the objective onto the object. This microscope achieves that also macroscopic objects can be viewed at a high resolution.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope for examining microscopic and macroscopic objects is described. The microscope comprises: a scanning optical system having optical elements imaging the light generated by a laser onto an object to be examined; an objective provided in a working distance of at least 0.4 inches from an object holder; and a zoom optical system that is connected to the scanning optical system such that the light generated by the laser passes first through the scanning optical system, then through the zoom optical system, and is then imaged through the objective onto the object. This microscope achieves that also macroscopic objects can be viewed at a high resolution.

Abstract: A scanning microscope, in particular a confocal scanning microscope, having: a scanning device (1), a detection device (2), an electronic system (3) for operating the scanning microscope, and a cooling device (4) for at least one component of the scanning microscope, is configured and refined, in the interest of efficient cooling, in such a way that the cooling device (4) is operable with a liquid cooling medium.

Abstract: A lifting stage includes a carrier frame, an object plate configured to carry an object, a cross-member, and a parallel articulation arrangement configured to articulate the object plate to the carrier frame so that the object plate is capable of being raised or lowered relative to the carrier frame without tilting. The parallel articulation arrangement includes a number of parallel articulations and connects the cross-member to the carrier frame and the cross-member to the object plate.