Abstract: Apparatus and method for capturing an image having a detection beam path for guiding detection radiation from a sample to a detector having a plurality of detector elements. The detector has no more than ten and, preferably, four or five detector elements; and an evaluation unit, which is configured to carry out an evaluation in accordance with the Airyscan method on the image data captured by means of the detector and which generates a high-resolution image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image capturing apparatus and method having a detection beam path for guiding detection radiation from a sample to a detector having a plurality of detector elements. The detector has no more than ten and, in particular, four or five detector elements; and an evaluation unit is present, which is configured to carry out an evaluation in accordance with the Airyscan method on the image data captured by means of the detector and which generates a high-resolution image.

Abstract: As a result of the size of the detector elements thereof, optoelectronic detectors such as photoelectron multipliers comprising a light-entry region sealed by a protective disc can only be used with much outlay for recording an image of a diffraction-limited focus volume in a two-dimensional spatially resolved manner, even if the image is significantly magnified in relation to the focus volume. The novel detector is intended to enable the spatially resolved detection of point spread functions with little outlay and high accuracy. 2.2 For this purpose, a body made of glass or glass ceramics comprising an opening, in which one end of an optical fiber is arranged, is cemented to the cover disc in such a way that the end of the optical fiber faces the cover disc and the optical axis thereof intersects the light-entry region. Thus, the relative position of optical fiber and entry region can be provided permanently with high accuracy.

Abstract: As a result of the size of the detector elements thereof, optoelectronic detectors such as photoelectron multipliers comprising a light-entry region sealed by a protective disc can only be used with much outlay for recording an image of a diffraction-limited focus volume in a two-dimensional spatially resolved manner, even if the image is significantly magnified in relation to the focus volume. The novel detector is intended to enable the spatially resolved detection of point spread functions with little outlay and high accuracy. 2.2 For this purpose, a body made of glass or glass ceramics comprising an opening, in which one end of an optical fibre is arranged, is cemented to the cover disc in such a way that the end of the optical fibre faces the cover disc and the optical axis thereof intersects the light-entry region. Thus, the relative position of optical fibre and entry region can be provided permanently with high accuracy.

Abstract: An improved evaluation circuit which allows high sensitivity in an economical manner. For this purpose, a shift register having at least one data input, a clock input, a plurality of register stages and at least one data output is provided, wherein the output of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the data input of the shift register. With a shift register, fluorescent light and scattered light can be temporally distinguished in an economical manner.

Abstract: An improved evaluation circuit which allows high sensitivity in an economical manner. For this purpose, a shift register having at least one data input, a clock input, a plurality of register stages and at least one data output is provided, wherein the output of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the data input of the shift register. With a shift register, fluorescent light and scattered light can be temporally distinguished in an economical manner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an at least two-dimensional image of at least part of a sample. The method involves scanning the sample. Acquiring at least one light signal by an optoelectronic detector for different areas of the sample. Converting the light signal into an electrical signal. Distributing the electrical signal onto several parallel evaluation channels whose signal evaluations differ from each other so that their dynamic ranges are different. Generating a result signal in each evaluation channel. Selecting at least one of the result signals as a function of one of the result signals in order to generate the image for the sample range concerned. It is also possible to generate one intermediate result signal for each channel, typically from the respective actual result signal and one or more other sources. Thus the signal selection depending on both the result signals and the intermediate result signals are possible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an at least two-dimensional image of at least part of a sample. The method involves scanning the sample. Acquiring at least one light signal by an optoelectronic detector for different areas of the sample. Converting the light signal into an electrical signal. Distributing the electrical signal onto several parallel evaluation channels whose signal evaluations differ from each other so that their dynamic ranges are different. Generating a result signal in each evaluation channel. Selecting at least one of the result signals as a function of one of the result signals in order to generate the image for the sample range concerned. It is also possible to generate one intermediate result signal for each channel, typically from the respective actual result signal and one or more other sources. Thus the signal selection depending on both the result signals and the intermediate result signals are possible.