Abstract: For dynamically shifting a light beam (7) with regard to an optic focussing the light beam to scan an object in a two-dimensional scanning range with the focussed light beam, at least two beam deflectors (26) are connected in series per each direction in which the light beam is to be deflected with regard to the optical axis of the focussing optic. The two beam deflectors deflect the light beam by two deflection angles (31, 32 and 33, 34, respectively) which are dynamically variable independently on each other. The deflection angles (31 to 34) of all beam deflectors (26) are predetermined for each point of the scanning range (35) in such a way that the light beam (7), in scanning the whole two-dimensional scanning range, always runs through the pupil of the optic (4) at essentially the same point.

Abstract: To the end of three-dimensionally localizing light emitting marker entities of unknown orientation and unknown position in a sample, the light emitted by each single marker entity is imaged in at least two different ways onto at least one detection plane which corresponds to a focal plane (13) in the sample resulting in at least two images of the marker entity. Virtual x- and y-positions of the marker entity in parallel to the focal plane (13) are separately determined from the emitted light intensity distribution over each image of the marker entity. Further, the z-position of the marker entity normal to the focal plane is determined from the emitted light intensity distributions over the images of the marker entity. The real x- and y-positions of the marker entity in parallel to the focal plane (13) are determined based on its virtual x- and y-positions and on its z-position.

Abstract: A fluorescence light scanning microscope (2) comprises a light source providing excitation light (8) for exciting a fluorophore in a sample to be imaged for spontaneous emission of fluorescence light, and suppression light (7) for suppressing spontaneous emission of fluorescence light by the fluorophore on a common optical axis (4), the suppression wavelength differing from the excitation wavelength; an objective (19) focusing both the excitation (8) and the suppression (7) light to a focus point; a detector (21) detecting fluorescence light (11) spontaneously emitted by the fluorophore; and a chromatic beam shaping device (1) arranged on the common optical axis (4), and including a birefringent chromatic optical element (3) adapted to shape a polarization distribution of the suppression light (7) such as to produce an intensity zero at the focus point, and to leave the excitation light such as to produce a maximum at the focus point.

Abstract: For dynamically shifting a light beam (7) with regard to an optic focussing the light beam to scan an object in a two-dimensional scanning range with the focussed light beam, at least two beam deflectors (26) are connected in series per each direction in which the light beam is to be deflected with regard to the optical axis of the focussing optic. The two beam deflectors deflect the light beam by two deflection angles (31, 32 and 33, 34, respectively) which are dynamically variable independently on each other. The deflection angles (31 to 34) of all beam deflectors (26) are predetermined for each point of the scanning range (35) in such a way that the light beam (7), in scanning the whole two-dimensional scanning range, always runs through the pupil of the optic (4) at essentially the same point.

Abstract: For imaging a structure in a sample with spatial resolution, the structure is labeled with a fluorophore which is transferable by an optical transfer signal out of a first into a second photochromic state. Via a common objective, the sample is subjected to both the focussed optical transfer signal and a focussed optical excitation signal only exciting a portion of the fluorophore being in its second photochromic state for fluorescence. The transfer and the excitation signal have a common centre of maximum intensity; and a decrease of intensity of the transfer signal with the distance to this common centre is substantially stronger than any decrease of the effective return rate of the fluorophore back into the first photochromic state. Fluorescence light emitted by the excited fluorophore is detected. Then, the common centre is shifted with regard to the sample; and the steps of subjecting and detecting are repeated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical scanning device that comprises a light source to emit a beam of light, and a beam splitter to split that beam into several beamlets, and further a first objective lens to direct said beamlets onto a focal plane wherein each of said beamlets impinges on the focal plane spacially separated from each other, wherein the beam splitter comprises several birefringent elements for splitting said beam, preferably a stack of Wollaston prisms.

Abstract: For imaging a structure in a sample with three-dimensional spatial resolution, a fluorophore is selected which is transferable by means of an optical transfer signal out of a first into a second photochromic state having specific fluorescence properties, and which displays a return rate back into the first photochromic state. The structure is labeled with the fluorophore.

Abstract: An optical device for combining a first light beam and at least one second light beam includes a first beam splitting device, a second beam splitting device and a position detector. The first beam splitting device splits a first reference beam from the first light beam and a second reference beam from the second light beam. The second beam splitting device splits a third reference beam from the first light beam and a fourth reference beam from the second light beam. The position detector detects respective positions of the reference beams so as to enable a respective propagation direction and/or a respective position of the first and/or second light beams to be adjusted as a function of the detected positions of the reference beams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical scanning device that comprises a light source to emit a beam of light, and a beam splitter to split that beam into several beamlets, and further a first objective lens to direct said beamlets onto a focal plane wherein each of said beamlets impinges on the focal plane spacially separated from each other, wherein the beam splitter comprises several birefringent elements for splitting said beam, preferably a stack of Wollaston prisms.

Abstract: In adjusting a microscope having at least two objectives for superimposing measuring beams of light in an object space to the end of obtaining an interference pattern and for monitoring the object space, each objective having a focal point, a focal plane and a pupil, auxiliary beams of light which are distinguishable from the measuring beams are directed into the objectives, and the auxiliary beams getting back out of the objectives are superimposed to obtain an auxiliary interference pattern. Further, the auxiliary beams getting back out of the objectives are imaged as spots.

Abstract: A microscope includes a light source that emits an illuminating light beam for illumination of a specimen, a beam splitter separating measuring light out of the illuminating light beam, and an apparatus for determining the light power level of the illuminating light beam. The apparatus for determining the light power level of the illuminating light beam receives the measuring light and includes an apparatus for simultaneous color-selective detection of the measuring light.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a double confocal scanning microscope (1) having an illuminating beam path (2) of at least one light source (3), and a detected beam path (4) of at least one detector (5), and in order to achieve almost the theoretically possible resolution capability, in particular in the context of multi-color fluorescence applications, is characterized in that the optical properties in particular of the components (6, 10, 13, 14) arranged in the beam path are coordinated with one another in such a way that the accumulated aberrations, with respect to the optical axis (33) and/or at least one surface (18, 19, 20) in the specimen region, are at least of the order of magnitude of the theoretically achievable resolution capability.

Abstract: In adjusting a microscope having at least two objectives for superimposing measuring beams of light in an object space to the end of obtaining an interference pattern and for monitoring the object space, each objective having a focal point, a focal plane and a pupil, auxiliary beams of light which are distinguishable from the measuring beams are directed into the objectives, and the auxiliary beams getting back out of the objectives are superimposed to obtain an auxiliary interference pattern. Further, the auxiliary beams getting back out of the objectives are imaged as spots.

Abstract: A microscope (1), preferably a confocal laser scanning microscope, having at least one light source, a detector, and two objectives (2), one of the objectives (2) being arranged on each of the two sides of the specimen plane (3) and the objectives (2) being directed toward one another and having a common focus; and at least one beam splitter (5) for distributing the illuminating light (6) to the objectives (2), and a beam recombiner (5) for combining the detected light (7) coming from the objectives (2), being provided in the illumination/detection beam path (4), is characterized, for selectable, subsequent implementation of ultrahigh-resolution microscope techniques, in that the objectives (2) and the beam splitter/beam recombiner (5) are grouped into a modular assembly (8); and the assembly (8) has an interface (9) for connection to the illumination/detection beam path (4) of the microscope (1).

Abstract: An optical component is arranged in the beam path of a scanning microscope. The optical component has a plane entrance surface through which a light beam bundle can be incoupled at an entrance angle, and a plane exit surface through which the light beam bundle can be outcoupled at an exit angle, which is different from the entrance angle. The optical component contains at least two elements that exhibit at least two different refractive indices.

Abstract: A scanning microscope that defines an illumination beam path and a detection beam path, having an objective that is arranged in both the illumination beam path and the detection beam path, is disclosed. The scanning microscope is characterized by an interchangeable module that is also arranged in the illumination beam path and a [sic] detection beam path and that separates the illumination beam path and detection beam path at a fixed angular relationship to one another and comprises at least a first acoustooptical component. Also disclosed is an optical element having at least three ports.

Abstract: A microscope includes a lens holder for receiving a lens. A locking device is provided that affixes the received lens so that the lens cannot be removed without authorization.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for beam deflection, in particular for scanning microscopy, a light beam being deflectable by a mirror arrangement that is alternatingly rotatable by a rotary drive. The apparatus for beam deflection makes possible maximum variability in terms of frequency range and maximally achievable oscillation frequency, and is thus usable in flexible and versatile fashion. It moreover allows almost any desired angular offset from the zero point position to be established, and is characterized in that the rotary drive comprises two mutually independent drive units which rotate the mirror arrangement, together or mutually independently, about a rotation axis.

Abstract: A scanning microscope has a light source that emits illuminating light for illumination of a specimen, at least one first detector for detection of the detected light proceeding from the specimen, an objective arranged in both an illumination beam path and a detection beam path, and a coupling-out element that is selectably for descan detection and non-descan detection positionable in the illumination and detection beam path. A light-guiding fiber is provided for transporting at least a portion of the detection light from the coupling-out element to the first detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the lifetime of an excited state in a specimen is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electromagnetic energy source (1) that emits light (3) of one wavelength. Also provided are a means (5) for dividing the light (3) into at least a first and a second partial light beam (7, 9) and an intermediate element (23) in at least one partial light beam to influence the transit time.