Abstract: A method for the determination and compensation of geometric imaging errors which occur during the imaging of an object by sequential single or multispot scanning by means of a microscopic imaging system, which includes: establishing a reference object with a defined plane structure; generating an electronic image data set of this structure free of geometric imaging errors; generating at least one electronic actual image data set with the imaging system; comparing the actual image data set with the reference image data set with respect to the locations of those pixels which have the same object point as origin in each case; determining location deviations in the actual image data set compared to the reference image data set; saving determined location deviations as correction data; and compensating for the geometric imaging errors by correction of the location deviations in the actual image data set with reference to the correction data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light sheet microscope which comprises an illumination apparatus, which generates coherent illumination light for several illumination wavelengths, a beam-shaping module (8) for generating a light sheet from illumination light, an illumination objective (10) for the illumination of a specimen (1) with the light sheet and a detection objective (12) for imaging light which is emitted by the specimen onto a laminar detector, wherein the optical axis of the detection objective (12) forms an angle different from 0° and 180° with the optical axis of the illumination objective (10).

Abstract: Beam deflection units in light-scanning microscopes are usually arranged in planes that are conjugate to the objective pupil. The scan optics, which is required for generating the conjugate pupil planes, is complicated and not very light efficient. The invention is intended to enable a higher image quality, simpler adjustment and a lower light loss microscope. The optical system comprises a concave mirror (36) for imaging a respective point of the first and second beam deflection units (30A, 30B) onto one another. The concave mirror (36), the first beam deflection unit (30A), and the second beam deflection unit (30B) are arranged such that the illumination beam path is reflected exactly once at the concave mirror (36). A first distortion caused by the concave mirror (36) and a second distortion of the imaging caused by the first and second beam deflection units (30A, 30B) at least partly compensate for one another.

Abstract: A method for SPIM microscopy, wherein the sample is moved continuously, and a plurality of images are taken at time intervals by means of a detection arrangement during the movement. The image capture duration or exposure time is dimensioned such that the movement path of the sample lies within a predetermined resolution range of the detection objective. The speed of the sample movement is determined and set by the image capture duration or exposure time and/or the distortion of the point spread function generated by the sample movement of the sample. The image blur is corrected computationally by the respective image capture duration and the movement speed. A sharp image is generated in this way. The actual optical section thickness of the light sheet is determined from the light sheet thickness, and the movement speed is determined therefrom and from user settings.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism of a sample holder is provided. The adjusting mechanism includes a base with drives arranged thereon, and a carrier that is adjustable by means of the drives and is designed to receive the sample holder. A coupling element for each drive, which coupling element is designed to connect the base and the carrier. Each coupling element has at least one linear degree of freedom and also a rotary degree of freedom. The carrier is linearly movable, by means of the coupling elements, along a respective movement axis directed from the coupling element to the carrier. Also provided is a microscope that includes such an adjusting mechanism, along with a method for adjusting the orientation of a sample holder).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for multispot scanning microscopy, having a multicolour light source for providing at least one illumination light beam, having a splitting device for splitting the illumination light beam into a plurality of illumination sub-beams, having first optical means for providing an illumination optical path for guiding and focussing the individual illumination sub-beams respectively into a light spot on or in a specimen to be examined, having a scan unit for guiding the light spots over the probe, having a detection unit for detecting detection light emitted by the specimen in detection sub-beams after irradiation with the individual illumination sub-beams, having second optical means for providing a detection optical path for guiding the detection sub-beams to the detector unit, having a control and evaluation unit for controlling the scan unit and for evaluating the detection light detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A method for SPIM microscopy, wherein the sample is moved continuously, and a plurality of images are taken at time intervals by means of a detection arrangement during the movement. The image capture duration or exposure time is dimensioned such that the movement path of the sample lies within a predetermined resolution range of the detection objective. The speed of the sample movement is determined and set by the image capture duration or exposure time and/or the distortion of the point spread function generated by the sample movement of the sample. The image blur is corrected computationally by the respective image capture duration and the movement speed. A sharp image is generated in this way. The actual optical section thickness of the light sheet is determined from the light sheet thickness, and the movement speed is determined therefrom and from user settings.

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: 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: A microscope comprising multiple optical systems in the imaging beam path and at least one subassembly, the optical effect of which in relation to the imaging beam path can be modified by controlling the subassembly, e.g. a group of lenses or a diaphragm that can be moved in the direction of the optical axis, a diaphragm having a variable aperture, a digital zoom device, a shutter, or a focusing device. The microscope includes a control unit which is designed to generate control signals for the subassembly in a first mode of operation to regulate or control the functional parameters exclusively of the imaging optical system with which the subassembly is associated, and additionally in a second mode of operation to regulate or control the functional parameters of the entire optical system of the microscope.

Abstract: A method for SPIM microscopy, wherein the sample is moved continuously, and a plurality of images are taken at time intervals by means of a detection arrangement during the movement. The image capture duration or exposure time is dimensioned such that the movement path of the sample lies within a predetermined resolution range of the detection objective. The speed of the sample movement is determined and set by the image capture duration or exposure time and/or the distortion of the point spread function generated by the sample movement of the sample. The image blur is corrected computationally by the respective image capture duration and the movement speed. A sharp image is generated in this way. The actual optical section thickness of the light sheet is determined from the light sheet thickness, and the movement speed is determined therefrom and from user settings.

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 microscope comprising multiple optical systems in the imaging beam path and at least one subassembly, the optical effect of which in relation to the imaging beam path can be modified by controlling the subassembly, e.g. a group of lenses or a diaphragm that can be moved in the direction of the optical axis, a diaphragm having a variable aperture, a digital zoom device, a shutter, or a focusing device. The microscope includes a control unit which is designed to generate control signals for the subassembly in a first mode of operation to regulate or control the functional parameters exclusively of the imaging optical system with which the subassembly is associated, and additionally in a second mode of operation to regulate or control the functional parameters of the entire optical system of the microscope.

Abstract: The present invention serves to vary and adjust the transmitted light illumination in microscopes, particularly with respect to the numerous, different illumination situations. The device, according to the invention comprises modules for darkfield illumination, brightfield illumination, and/or diffuse illumination and/or for adapting the object field in which an illumination unit can be selectively coupled to different modules and in which actuators are provided for implementing the adjustments within the modules and for producing the desired connections, these actuators being operated by means of operating elements of a control unit. The adjustments within the modules and the implemented connections are detected and are stored in the control unit so as to be reproducible. The proposed solution makes possible a broad application by means of an ergonomic arrangement of the operating elements and adjusting and/or changing the illumination situations in a simple and reproducible manner.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement and a method for imaging depth-structured objects and for calibrating the imaging in connection therewith, preferably for generating stereoscopic images from different observation planes at different depth levels of an object. According to the invention, in an optical arrangement for imaging depth-structured objects comprising an entrance pupil, an aperture diaphragm, and a receiver surface positioned in the imaging beam path, at least one optical assembly which is displaceable in axial direction is provided between the aperture diaphragm and the receiver surface, and the displacement of this optical assembly within a predetermined length range causes a change in the focus position while the magnification remains the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a motor-operated optical shutter for opening and closing the illumination beam path in optical devices. The optical shutter, according to the invention, for the illumination beam path in optical devices comprises a mounting unit which is provided with a diaphragm aperture, a stepper motor which is mounted at the mounting unit, and a shutter element which is connected to the motor shaft of the stepper motor for opening and closing the diaphragm aperture. A two-phase stepper motor with a large full step angle is preferably used. The two-phase stepper motor is connected to a control unit and carries out the required movement of the shutter element at a short distance from the motor shaft. The solution according to the invention provides a very economical and simple optical shutter for optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the automatic adjustment of viewer settings in microscopes, particularly viewing height and viewing angle, interpupillary distance and/or dioptric compensation. In the apparatus according to the invention for the automatic adjustment of viewer settings in microscopes, the viewer settings with respect to viewing height and/or viewing angle and/or interpupillary distance and/or dioptric compensation can be automatically adjusted and/or predetermined, and these user-specific settings can be stored in a reproducible manner. The proposed solution is provided particularly for the automatic adjustment of viewer settings in microscopes regardless of the type of microscope. The solution according to the invention provides an apparatus for the automatic adjustment of viewer settings in microscopes by which the viewer settings can be adapted quickly and precisely to requirements, particularly to the requirements of different users.

Abstract: The present invention serves to vary and adjust the transmitted light illumination in microscopes, particularly with respect to the numerous, different illumination situations. The device, according to the invention, for varying and adjusting the transmitted illumination for microscopes comprises modules for darkfield illumination, brightfield illumination, and/or diffuse illumination and/or for adapting the object field in which an illumination unit can be selectively coupled to different modules and in which actuators are provided for implementing the adjustments within the modules and for producing the desired connections, these actuators being operated by means of operating elements of a control unit. The adjustments within the modules and the implemented connections are detected and are stored in the control unit so as to be reproducible.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement and a method for imaging depth-structured objects and for calibrating the imaging in connection therewith, preferably for generating stereoscopic images from different observation planes at different depth levels of an object. According to the invention, in an optical arrangement for imaging depth-structured objects comprising an entrance pupil, an aperture diaphragm, and a receiver surface positioned in the imaging beam path, at least one optical assembly which is displaceable in axial direction is provided between the aperture diaphragm and the receiver surface, and the displacement of this optical assembly within a predetermined length range causes a change in the focus position while the magnification remains the same.