Abstract: An optical scanning microscope includes an illumination system having a light source portion emanating from a light source, first and second polarizing beam splitters, and first and second optical channels disposed between the beam splitters. The light source portion is configured to emit a first illumination light beam comprising light of a first main polarization direction and of a second main polarization direction. The first beam splitter is configured to guide the light primarily into the first and channels, respectively. The second beam splitter is configured to form a second illumination light beam from light of the first and second main polarization directions from the first channel and second channels, respectively. The first and second channels are configured to emit the light of the first and second main polarization directions from the first and second channels, respectively, so as to have different types of convergence.

Abstract: An optical scanning microscope includes an illumination system having a light source portion emanating from a light source, first and second polarizing beam splitters, and first and second optical channels disposed between the beam splitters. The light source portion is configured to emit a first illumination light beam comprising light of a first and of a second main polarization direction. The first beam splitter is configured to guide the light of the first and second main polarization direction primarily into the first and channels, respectively. The second beam splitter is configured to form a second illumination light beam from light of the first and second main polarization directions from the first channel and second channels, respectively. The first and second channels are configured to emit the light of the first and second main polarization directions from the first and second channels, respectively, so as to have different convergence angles.

Abstract: A microscope illumination device includes at least one light source and a light conversion element. The light conversion element is configured as at least one optical waveguide which contains different fluorescent materials each having different emission ranges. The at least one light source is arranged such that emission light for exciting the fluorescent materials from the at least one light source is coupled into the light conversion element. The light conversion element is configured such that light emitted by the fluorescent materials is guided to a light exit face of the light conversion element and is decoupled at the light exit face as illumination light.