Abstract: A microscope with at least one illumination beam that is phase modulated in a section along its cross-section with a modulation frequency and a microscope lens for focusing the illumination beam into a test as well as a detection beam path and at least one means of demodulation, wherein at least one polarization altering item is scheduled in the illuminating beam path, for which a phase plate is subordinated that exhibits at least two areas with different phase influence. A second embodiment involves a microscope with at least one illumination beam and a microscope lens for focusing the illumination beam into a test as well as a detection beam path with at least one demodulator, wherein the illumination beam is set up alternatingly on at least two beam paths, and an element in one of the beam paths is scheduled to generate a field mode different from that of the first beam path, and the two beam paths are overlaid with different field modes in the focus.

Abstract: An arrangement for light sheet microscopy that includes a means for scanning a sample volume with a light sheet, which includes an angle ??90° with the optical axis of an objective. The light sheet passes through the entire sample volume in the propagation direction, and the depth of field Sobj of the objective is less than the optical-axis depth T of this sample volume. An optical device, disposed downstream of the objective, increases the depth of field Sobj to a depth of field Seff?the depth T of this sample volume. The arrangement also includes a means for positioning the sample volume within the region of the depth of field Seff. A spatially resolving optoelectronic area sensor is disposed downstream of the optical device, and hardware and software are provided to generate sample-volume images from the electronic image signals output by the area sensor.

Abstract: A microscope which makes possible a spectrally-flexible excitation and detection of fluorescence in an economical manner. For this purpose, means for frequency conversion are arranged in the common beam path and a filter for excitation light is arranged in addition to the main beam splitter in the detection beam path. The frequency conversion achieves a spectral delimitation between illumination light, which is emitted by the light source, and excitation light which brings about fluorescence excitation in the specimen. Because the frequency conversion takes place in the common beam path after the main beam splitter, it is possible for both a spatial separation of illumination light, and excitation light and fluorescent light (detection light) emitted by the specimen, to be carried out in an economical manner at the main beamsplitter according to spectral bands because of the spectral difference between illumination light and excitation light.

Abstract: Scanning fluorescence microscopes with an observation beam path from a measurement volume to an image plane. A beam combiner is provided for coupling an illumination system and a diaphragm arranged in the image plane for slow composition of the image because of the sequential scanning and subject the sample to loading as a result of inefficient use of the excitation light. The microscope simultaneously detects fluorescence from different focal planes in each case quasi-confocally. The observation beam path between the beam combiner and the image plane has a first diffractive optics for splitting light beams into beam bundles along different orders of diffraction, imparting to the light beams a spherical phase that is different from the other orders of diffraction. A second diffractive optics is provided for the compensation of chromatic aberrations of the split beam bundles, and a collecting optics is provided for focusing split beam bundles into the image plane.

Abstract: A microscope for widefield microscopy having a detection beam path and an illumination beam path. The microscope includes a filter wheel device, which is arranged in the detection beam path and/or illumination beam path and has a filter wheel, wherein the filter wheel is mounted to rotate about an axis, and wherein the filter wheel is divided into segments. Filters forming a first part-circle are arranged in a first part of the segments, such that said filters are consecutively introduced into the detection beam path or illumination beam path when the filter wheel is rotated. A camera records images at a predefined frequency. The filter wheel device includes a motor-driven shaft that rotates the filter wheel at a predefined rotation frequency. The microscope also comprises a control system for synchronizing the image-recording frequency and rotation frequency based on the filters arranged on the filter wheel.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope (LSM) consisting of at least one light source from which an illumination beam path extends in the direction of a sample, at least one detection beam path for transmitting sample light to a detector array, a first pinhole for confocal filtering in front of the detector array, a scanner for causing a relative motion between the illumination light and the sample in at least one direction, and a microscope lens. For illuminating a sample, at least two illumination beams, which the microscope lens focuses as illumination points in a sample plane, are generated in the illumination beam path. The laser scanning microscope is characterized in that in addition to the preferably adjustable, slit-shaped first pinhole, a second, preferably adjustable, slit-shaped pinhole is arranged downstream of the first pinhole so as to create optically conjugate beams arranged between the first and the second pinhole.

Abstract: Laser scanning microscope or spectral detector having a detection beam path and first imaging optics which image spectrally dispersed sample light in a Fourier plane such that the individual spectral components of the sample light are spatially separated from one another therein. A micromirror arrangement is provided in this plane, and a spectrally selective change in direction of the detection beam is carried out by controlling the micromirrors, where a useful light component of the detection beam arrives on a detector. At least one second micromirror arrangement and a 1:1 imaging of the first micromirror arrangement in the second micromirror arrangement is provided. Alternatively, the same micromirror arrangement is passed at least twice, where, in the light path between the first pass and second pass, a spatial offset of the light beam of at least the first pass and second pass is generated on the micromirror arrangement by optical means.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope for the acquisition of object images according to varied observation criteria. The microscope includes an illumination and detection unit, an illumination and a detection beam, a microscope objective, a scanning device with a scanning optical component and several scanners, with switching mirrors, each mirror with two switching positions, provided in the illumination and detection beams. Each switching position is assigned to one of several different, optically separate beam paths and each beam path defines a separate operating mode. A concave mirror for imaging a first scanner into at least one more scanner and vice versa is arranged in at least one of the beam paths.

Abstract: Confocal multipoint scanning microscopes (1) comprising a multi-beam light source (2), confocal detectors (10) a beam splitter (4) for coupling the illuminating beam path (B) and the detecting beam path (D) into a common beam path (C), and an adjustable deflection unit (5) and a microscope lens (8) have the disadvantage that the properties of the image field cannot be modified in the same way as for a single-point scanning microscope by appropriate activation of the deflection unit, without the relative position of the points changing in relation to one another. The invention proposes solving this problem by having a means (7) for the manipulation of a spatial position of the partial beams or for the manipulation of a phase position of the partial beams relative to one another arranged in the common beam (C) between the main beam splitter (4) and the deflection unit (5).

Abstract: An optical assembly that is designed for positioning in a beam path of a light microscope having means for providing structured illuminating light in a sample plane of the light microscope, so that structured illuminating light can be generated in different orientations. The optical assembly has an adjustable deflector in order to deflect an incident light bundle onto one of several beam paths in a selectable manner. Beam splitting devices are located in the beam paths in order to split the light bundle of the respective beam paths into partial light bundles, which are spatially separated from each other. Beam guides are provided for each of the partial light bundles, and guide the partial light bundles to a pupil plane. The beam guides are arranged in such a way that the partial light bundles that belong to the same beam path form a light spot pattern in the pupil plane; and that the light spot patterns of different beam paths in the pupil plane are different from each other.

Abstract: A light scanning microscope with an illumination module switchable between an illumination with m number of spots and an illumination with n number of spots, a deflecting unit which moves the m or n spots in a predetermined sample region, and a detector module for confocal and spectrally resolved detection of the sample radiation. The detector module has a confocal diaphragm unit, a splitting unit which is arranged downstream of the confocal diaphragm unit, a detector, and an imaging unit which images the partial beams on the detector in a spatially separated manner. The confocal diaphragm unit is switchable between a confocal diaphragm with exactly m apertures for m-spot illumination and a confocal diaphragm with n apertures for n-spot illumination. The splitting unit has a first beam path for m-spot illumination and a second beam path for n-spot illumination. The splitting unit is switchable between the two beam paths.

Abstract: An optical filter device having a polarizing beamsplitter, an achromatic polarization manipulator, and at least one dichroic mirror. The polarization manipulator is arranged optically between a first input/output of the polarizing beamsplitter and the dichroic mirror. The polarization manipulator is also constructed in such a way that it effects a 90-degree rotation of a polarization direction of light which a) exits the polarizing beamsplitter at the first input/output, b) traverses the polarization manipulator, c) is reflected by the dichroic mirror, and d) again traverses the polarization manipulator. The optical filter device can also be used as beamsplitter.

Abstract: A microscope for microscopy having a detection beam path and an illumination beam path. The microscope includes a filter wheel device, which is arranged in the detection beam path and/or illumination beam path and has a filter wheel, wherein the filter wheel is mounted to rotate about an axis, and wherein the filter wheel is divided into segments. Filters forming a first part-circle are arranged in a first part of the segments, such that said filters are consecutively introduced into the detection beam path or illumination beam path when the filter wheel is rotated. A camera records images at a predefined frequency. The filter wheel device includes a motor-driven shaft that rotates the filter wheel at a predefined rotation frequency. The microscope also comprises a control system for synchronising the image-recording frequency and rotation frequency based on the filters arranged on the filter wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for varying the size of the scanning field of a multifocal laser scanning microscope, said scanning field being scanned in X columns and Y lines, and n laser spots being arranged at a distance d from one another in the scanning field along the slow scanning axis in the sample plane, the distance between the scanned lines in the sample plane being a=d/K, where K ? N, the size of the scanning field being varied by varying K. After scanning K lines, a vertical skip is made, e.g. a skip of (n?1)×K+1 lines in the scanning direction or (n+1)×K?1 lines against the scanning direction until at least Y lines have been scanned.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope (LSM) consisting of at least one light source from which an illumination beam path extends in the direction of a sample, at least one detection beam path for transmitting sample light to a detector array, a first pinhole for confocal filtering in front of the detector array, a scanner for causing a relative motion between the illumination light and the sample in at least one direction, and a microscope lens. For illuminating a sample, at least two illumination beams, which the microscope lens focuses as illumination points in a sample plane, are generated in the illumination beam path. The laser scanning microscope is characterized in that in addition to the preferably adjustable, slit-shaped first pinhole, a second, preferably adjustable, slit-shaped pinhole is arranged downstream of the first pinhole so as to create optically conjugate beams arranged between the first and the second pinhole.

Abstract: A switch which reduces the voltage between the photocathode and the first dynode in the activated switching state compared to the deactivated switching state and a control unit which is adapted to move a target spot, which can be illuminated by means of the light source, over a scanning field by means of a deflecting unit. The control unit activates the switch when the target spot enters a given region of the scanning field and deactivates the switch when the target spot exits the region.

Abstract: A microscope which makes possible a spectrally-flexible excitation and detection of fluorescence in an economical manner. For this purpose, means for frequency conversion are arranged in the common beam path and a filter for excitation light is arranged in addition to the main beam splitter in the detection beam path. The frequency conversion achieves a spectral delimitation between illumination light, which is emitted by the light source, and excitation light which brings about fluorescence excitation in the specimen. Because the frequency conversion takes place in the common beam path after the main beam splitter, it is possible for both a spatial separation of illumination light, and excitation light and fluorescent light (detection light) emitted by the specimen, to be carried out in an economical manner at the main beamsplitter according to spectral bands because of the spectral difference between illumination light and excitation light.

Abstract: An optical filter device having a polarizing beamsplitter, an achromatic polarization manipulator, and at least one dichroic mirror. The polarization manipulator is arranged optically between a first input/output of the polarizing beamsplitter and the dichroic mirror. The polarization manipulator is also constructed in such a way that it effects a 90-degree rotation of a polarization direction of light which a) exits the polarizing beamsplitter at the first input/output, b) traverses the polarization manipulator, c) is reflected by the dichroic mirror, and d) again traverses the polarization manipulator. The optical filter device can also be used as beamsplitter.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope having a laser light source for fluorescence excitation, in particular a short pulse light source for multiphoton excitation; a scanning mirror array for scanning illumination of a specimen and a scanning optics for the generation of a diffraction-limited reference image plane as a first intermediate image plane; an optical system, preferably with a high numerical aperture, for the preferably demagnified imaging of the reference plane in a second intermediate image; an axially slideable mirror in the second intermediate image plane; a beam splitter array between the reference image plane and said optical system; and a tube lens and a first microscope objective for aberration-free imaging of the reference image plane in a specimen.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope, which is switchable between different operating modes, wherein it contains, for switching in the illumination beam path, an electro-optical modulator (EOM) in a first beam path, which electro-optical modulator has arranged, upstream and downstream of it, adjustable first and second polarization-rotating elements and, downstream of it, at least one first polarization splitter for producing a second beam path, in which light-influencing means are located, wherein one or more of the following operating modes of the LSM can be set:—Single spot LSM—multispot LSM—single spot FMM—multispot FMM—FRAP system.