Abstract: Various embodiments related to systems and methods for instant structured microscopy where total internal reflection fluorescence techniques are used to improve optical sectioning and signal-to-noise ratio of structured illumination microscopy are herein disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for forming a 3D holographic image using non-periodically structured optical elements. The 3D holographic image apparatus includes a light source configured to radiate light, a spatial light modulator configured to modulate the light projected by the light source, and a non-periodic optical element configured to modulate incident light by refracting, diffracting or reflecting the direction of the incident light in a plurality of directions when the light modulated by the spatial light modulator is incident. A 3D holographic image may be formed based on the light modulated by the non-periodic optical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination system (10) for a fluorescence microscope (3) for observation of an object (17) containing at least one fluorophore (19), to a microscope (1) and to a microscope method for illumination of an object (17) comprising at least one fluorophore (19). Solutions of the art have the disadvantage that orientation within an object (17) is difficult and visibility of fluorescing regions of the object (17) is non satisfying.

Abstract: An electronic prepared slide includes: an image sensor that has a light receiving surface and receives, on the light receiving surface, light that has passed through a specimen disposed above the light receiving surface; and a removable nonvolatile transparent film that is disposed on the light receiving surface and seals the light receiving surface.

Abstract: A microscope having an imaging beam path, an illumination beam path, a detection device, and a control device for controlling the detection device and the illumination device. The control device divides the light sources of the detection device in an array into at least a first and a second group, wherein each group is composed of light sources adjacent to each other in the array and covers part of the array. The control device switches on only one light source of the first group at a point in time and connects the light sources of the first group in a sequence with a clocking in such a way that two light sources switched on one after the other are adjacent to each other in the array and switches the light sources of the second group with the same clocking as the light sources of the first group. The control device reads out the detection device with the same clocking as the connecting of the light sources.

Abstract: A microscope for imaging an object, comprising a lens for imaging the object through an imaging beam path, a light source for generating illumination radiation, at least one optical element for coupling the illumination radiation into the imaging beam path such that a common beam path is formed between the optical element and the lens, wherein the imaging radiation path runs through the common beam path, and the illumination radiation is guided through the common beam path. The microscope also comprises a monitoring device for measuring an energy parameter of the illumination radiation, said monitoring device determining an energy parameter of radiation which is incident on the monitoring device, and a beam splitter device which is arranged in the common beam path upstream of the lens in the illuminating direction and couples measurement radiation out of the illumination radiation onto the monitoring device.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes an interference image acquisition unit, a fluorescence image acquisition unit, an operation unit, and a timing control circuit. The operation unit generates an optical thickness image based on an interference image acquired by the interference image acquisition unit, generates a mask image showing a region in which pixel values in a fluorescence image acquired by the fluorescence image acquisition unit are larger than a threshold value, and determines an integrated value of an optical thickness in the region shown by the mask image in the optical thickness image.

Abstract: A microscope including an illumination optical system having an objective lens and a fly-eye lens, where: the fly-eye lens having a plurality of lens elements; in the illumination optical system, images of the plurality of lens elements are projected on a pupil of the objective lens; and the number (n1) of the images of the lens elements projected inside the pupil of the objective lens is more than the number (n2) of the images of the lens elements projected on an outer perimeter of the pupil of the objective lens. In the above observation optical system, a first objective lens having a first pupil diameter and a second objective lens having a pupil diameter larger than the first pupil diameter are switchable, and a number n1 may be greater than a number n2 with respect to the first objective lens.

Abstract: A scanning microscope includes an objective arranged in an illuminating beam path to focus an illuminating light bundle onto a sample. A scanning unit is arranged upstream of the objective to deflect the illuminating light bundle such that it is focused by the objective executes a scanning movement on the sample. A detection unit is arranged in a detection beam path to receive a detection light bundle not deflected by the scanning unit. For spectral influencing of the detection light bundle, the detection unit contains a spectrally selective component which has an active surface with a spectral edge which varies with the location of incidence of the detection light bundle on the active surface. The active surface is arranged in the detection beam path at the location of an image of an objective pupil, or in a position at which a variation of the spectral edge is compensated for.

Abstract: Exemplary method, computer-accessible medium and system can be provided for determining the presence or absence of a local and/or global property of a biological tissue sample. Thus, it is possible to obtain at least one image of the sample, search the image(s) for a presence of at least one particular feature that is contained in a pre-defined set of features, and assign, to the particular feature(s). It is possible to compute, with a computer processor, at least one discriminant value that is a function of the pronunciation index that is weighted with a particular weight. The weight of each pronunciation index is a measure for a relevance of the corresponding feature with respect to the property. It is possible to determine whether the property is present in at least one part of the biological tissue sample depending on whether the discriminant value exceeds a pre-defined threshold and/or and optimized threshold.

Abstract: There is provided a device allowing a sample to be observed in a first mode, by lensless imaging using a first sensor. The first mode allows a first image to be obtained, on the basis of which a region of interest of the sample may be identified. The device then allows, via a relative movement, the region of interest to be analyzed using a more precise second mode and in particular using an optical system coupled to a second sensor.

Abstract: A microscope includes: a sample placement part having a placement surface on which to place a sample and a bottom face opposite to the placement surface; an observation lens; and an optical unit for generating sheet light and use of the microscope. The microscope of an embodiment is arranged such that the sheet light enters the sample placement part from the bottom face and passing through the sample placement part to irradiate the sample, and fluorescence from the sample passes through the sample placement part toward the bottom face to be received by the observation lens. The microscope can, with this arrangement, utilize the advantages of a SPIM, and allows observation of a sample which observation is free from a restriction of the size of a sample.

Abstract: A microscope, in particular according to any of the preceding claims, consisting of an illuminating device, comprising an illumination light source and an illumination beam path for illuminating the specimen with a light sheet, a detection device for detecting light emitted by the specimen, and an imaging optical unit, which images the specimen via an imaging objective in an imaging beam path at least partly onto the detection device, wherein the light sheet is essentially planar at the focus of the imaging objective or in a defined plane in proximity of the geometrical focus of the imaging objective, and wherein the imaging objective has an optical axis, which intersects the plane of the light sheet at an angle that is different from zero, preferably perpendicularly, wherein an amplitude and/or phase filter is provided in the illumination beam path, said filter acting as a sine spatial filter in that it limits the illumination light in at least one spatial direction by filtering the spatial frequencies that

Abstract: A scanning apparatus having a stage adapted to hold a specimen to be imaged and to move the specimen in a first direction, and a light source that includes a tunable laser that generates a light beam having an illumination wavelength that varies as a function of an input signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an imaging system having a scanning assembly that includes a focusing lens that focuses the light beam to a measurement point on the specimen, a first mirror that moves in a second direction relative to the stage such that the focusing lens maintains a fixed distance between the focusing lens and the stage, and a displacement sensor that measures a distance between the scanning assembly at a mapping point on the specimen, and a light detector that measures an intensity of light leaving the measurement point on the specimen.

Abstract: A microscope module (300) for imaging a sample (270) includes at least one illumination objective (210) for producing an illumination beam along an illumination beam path (215) arranged to illuminate lower surfaces of the sample (270) and at least one detection objective (220) having a detection path (225). The detection path (225) is at an angle to the illumination beam path (215).

Abstract: A phase contrast transmission electron microscope apparatus has a long-life phase modulator, enabling changes in quantity of phase modulation, barely absorbing the electron beams, and not being influenced by irradiation of the electron beams. An electron microscope comprises an electron gun, a first laser beam irradiating process, being positioned between the electron source and an object lens, for irradiating laser beams onto the electron beams radiated from the electron gun, a second laser beam irradiating process, being positioned on a focal plane behind the object lens, for focusing and irradiating the laser beams upon the focus of the electron beams penetrating through a specimen, and a screen or a 2D electron sensor for detecting a specimen image in the form of distribution of intensity of the electron beams by an optical system.

Abstract: Techniques are described for inspecting optical devices, such as eyepieces, to determine whether they exhibit light leakage through an edge sealant that has been applied to the device. Embodiments provide an inspection apparatus that can be employed to detect the leakage of light through an edge sealant of an optical device, where the edge sealant is applied to prevent, or at least reduce, the leakage of light from the optical device. Light from a light source is projected into the optical device. The light can travel along one or more wave guides within the device, until reaching an edge of the device. Light that is able to leak through an edge sealant can be reflected, using mirror(s) in the apparatus, and detected by a camera. Image(s) captured by the camera can be analyzed to determine the performance of the optical device with respect to edge leakage.

Abstract: At least one of a stage on which a cultivation container 50 that contains a plurality of wells 52 is placed or an imaging optical system that includes an objective lens for forming an image of the observation target in each well 52 is moved to scan an observation position in the stage, to thereby observe the observation target. In a case where the objective lens is moved in an optical axis direction to perform an auto-focus control at each observation position, a start timing of the auto-focus control at each observation position D is changed on the basis of a boundary portion between respective wells 52 that are adjacent to each other in a scanning direction of the observation positions.

Abstract: An objective includes a first lens group that has a positive refractive power and a second lens group that has a negative refractive power. The objective includes a first negative lens and satisfies 0.005?do1/ho1?0.1??(1) 0.005?hmin/hl?0.72??(2) 10 mm?L?100 mm??(3) 0.1?L/f?31??(4) when do1 is a thickness of the first negative lens, ho1 is an axial marginal ray height on a lens surface on the object side of the first negative lens, hmin is a minimum value of an axial marginal ray height in the second lens group, hl is a height of an axial marginal ray on a lens surface of the objective that is situated closest to the image side, L is a length of the objective, and f is a focal length of the objective.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes: an objective lens; an observation optical system that makes the specimen be irradiated with excitation light by the objective lens, and acquires image information of the specimen; a first stimulation optical system that includes a scanning section which scans stimulus light, makes the scanning section scan an irradiation position of the stimulus light and applies an optical stimulus to the specimen; a second stimulation optical system that includes an SLM arranged at a pupil conjugate position of the objective lens and capable of modulating a phase of the stimulus light, selectively switches the irradiation position of the stimulus light by the SLM and applies the optical stimulus to the specimen; and a light path selecting section that selects at least one of a light path of the first stimulation optical system and a light path of the second stimulation optical system.

Abstract: A head-up display (HUD) apparatus for a vehicle, including: a light source unit configured to irradiate light; an image forming unit configured to form an image using the light generated through the light source unit; a condensing lens unit installed between the light source unit and the image forming unit, and configured to condense the light irradiated from the light source unit toward the image forming unit; a parallel lens unit installed between the condensing lens unit and the image forming unit, and configured to guide the light having passed through the condensing lens unit such that the light is irradiated in parallel toward the image forming unit; and a field lens unit installed between the parallel lens unit and the image forming unit, and forming a concave lens toward the image forming unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a vision system with an exchangeable illumination assembly that allows for increased versatility in the type and configuration of illumination supplied to the system without altering the underlying optics, sensor, vision processor, or the associated housing. The vision system housing includes a front plate that optionally includes a plurality of mounting bases for accepting different types of lenses, and a connector that allows removable interconnection with the illustrative illumination assembly. The illumination assembly includes a cover that is light transmissive. The cover encloses an illumination component that can include a plurality of lighting elements that surround an aperture through which received light rays from the imaged scene pass through to the lens. The arrangement of lighting elements is highly variable and the user can be supplied with an illumination assembly that best suits its needs without need to change the vision system processor, sensor or housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for microscopic investigation of a plurality of samples.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for a light sheet microscope device are generally described. In some examples, the light sheet microscope may comprise a motorized movable stage comprising an optically clear glass plate. In some further examples, the light sheet microscope may comprise an illumination objective and a collection objective disposed on a first side of the optically clear glass plate. In some further examples, the light sheet microscope may comprise a wavefront- and index-matching element disposed on the first side of the optically clear glass plate. An oil layer may be disposed between the optically clear glass plate and the wavefront- and index-matching element. The oil layer, the wavefront- and index-matching element and the glass plate may have matching refractive indexes.

Abstract: Embodiments of a resolution enhancement technique for a light sheet microscopy system having a three objective lens arrangement in which one objective lens illuminates a sample and the second and third objective lenses collect the fluorescence emissions emitted by the sample are disclosed. The second objective lens focuses a first portion of the fluorescence emissions for detection by a second detection component, while the third objective lens focuses a second portion of the fluorescence emissions through a diffractive or refractive optic component for detection by a first detector component. A processor combines the images resulting from the first and second portions of the fluorescence emissions for generating composite images with increased axial and lateral resolution.

Abstract: A live biological specimen is imaged by generating a plurality of light sheets; directing the plurality of light sheets along an illumination axis through the biological specimen such that the light sheets spatially and temporally overlap within the biological specimen along an image plane, and optically interact with the biological specimen within the image plane; and recording, at each of a plurality of views, images of the fluorescence emitted along a detection axis from the biological specimen due to the optical interaction between the light sheets and the biological specimen. The temporal overlap is within a time shift that is less than a resolution time that corresponds to a spatial resolution limit of the microscope.

Abstract: A laser collimator module installed on a mobile device for a camera program installed in the mobile device to operate photo-taking. A microprocessor on the mobile device activates a camera unit to record an image with an image data. The image data includes a plurality of pixel values for further retrieving of a set of pixel values horizontally and a pixel value of a dot within the set of pixel values. When the microprocessor matches the set of pixel values with a horizontal distance in the image, the microprocessor renders a point of collimated light projected by the laser collimator module as a reference point for further measurement.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an imaging system including an optical system adapted to receive light from a field of view and direct the received light to two image planes. A fixed image detector is optically coupled to one of the image planes to detect at least a portion of the received light and generate image data corresponding to at least a portion of the field of view. A movable (e.g., rotatable) image detector is optically coupled to the other image plane to sample the received light at different locations thereof to generate another set of image data at a higher resolution than the image data obtained by the fixed detector. The system can include a processor for receiving the two sets of image data to generate two images of the field of view. In some implementations, the processor can employ one of the images (typically the image having a lower resolution) to detect one or more objects of interest (e.g.

Abstract: An object is illuminated from at least one illuminating direction. For each illuminating direction, an intensity image of the object is captured during the illumination. On the basis of the at least one intensity image, a phase contrast image of the object is generated.

Abstract: The present approach relates to the measure of the planar tilt of a slide on a microscope using an integrated auto-focuser. The tilt of the slide can be used to detect improperly loaded slides (i.e. if the slide is resting on either the cover-slip or a printed barcode), compensate for misalignment between the microscope optical axis and the slide, and reduce subsequent focusing times.

Abstract: Improved image quality by structured illumination or pivoting illumination and faster image acquisition are both achieved. A line light enters first to fifth virtual pixels of a grating light valve, and first to fifth lights are emitted respectively from the first to fifth virtual pixels. The intensities and phases of the first to fifth 0th-order lights respectively depend on the arrangements of sub-pixels included in the first to fifth virtual pixels. The first to n-th 0th-order lights are extracted respectively from the first to n-th lights, and the first to n-th 0th-order lights are converted respectively into first to fifth light sheets. The first to fifth light sheets are created at a portion to be illuminated. The arrangements of the sub-pixels included in the first to fifth pixels are controlled such that a structured light sheet or pivoting light sheet is created at the portion to be illuminated.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit adapted to acquire a radiation image capturing an object, a function acquisition unit adapted to acquire a point spread function from the radiation image, and a determination unit adapted to determine, based on a state of the point spread function, presence/absence of a movement of the object in the radiation image.

Abstract: A sample observation device includes an illumination optical system and an observation optical system. The illumination optical system includes a light source, a condenser lens, and an aperture member. The observation optical system includes an objective lens and an imaging lens. The aperture member has a light-shielding part or a darkening part, and a transmission part. The transmission part is disposed asymmetrically with respect to an optical axis of the illumination optical system. An image of an inner edge of the transmission part is formed inside of an outer edge of a pupil of the objective lens. An image of an outer edge of the transmission part is formed outside of the outer edge of the pupil of the objective lens.

Abstract: A microscope including an illumination objective with a first optical axis, embodied to produce a light sheet, and a detection objective with a second optical axis, embodied to detect light coming from the specimen plane. The illumination objective and the detection objective are aligned relative to one another and the specimen plane so that the first and second optical axes intersect in the specimen plane and include a substantially right angle therebetween. The optical axes each include an angle which differs from zero with a reference axis directed orthogonal to the specimen plane. An overview illumination apparatus for wide-field illumination of the specimen plane, includes an illumination optical unit with a third optical axis. The characterizing feature is that the detection objective is provided to detect both light from the light sheet and light from the illumination optical unit. A method is also provided for operating a light sheet microscope.

Abstract: A microscope system includes an objective lens that focuses, on a specimen, illumination light produced by a light source. An illumination-area switching mechanism is disposed between the objective lens and the specimen and switches an illumination area irradiated with the illumination light focused by the objective lens among a plurality of illumination areas on the specimen that are located outside an objective optical axis of the objective lens. An inner focus lens is disposed on the objective optical axis between the light source and the objective lens and changes a focus position of the objective lens in a direction along the objective optical axis.

Abstract: A method for examining a specimen via light sheet microscopy includes selecting several illumination wavelengths for the specimen. To structure the illumination light, a predefined phase distribution is impressed on the phase-selective element and a predefined aperture structure is impressed on an aperture in the aperture plane. The phase-selective element is then illuminated in an intermediate image plane in an illumination beam path with illumination light, which is structured by the phase-selective element. The structured illumination light is imaged into an aperture plane arranged downstream of the phase-selective element. The aperture structure is adapted such that the zero orders of the structured illumination light in the aperture plane are substantially removed. The specimen is illuminated with the structured light sheet in the light sheet plane. Light emitted by the specimen is detected in a detection direction which forms an angle different from zero with the light sheet plane.

Abstract: Provided is an optical coherence tomographic apparatus, including: a light source configured to generate light; a light splitting unit configured to split the light from the light source into reference light and measuring light; a detection unit configured to detect intensity of combined light obtained by combining the reference light with return light from an object to be inspected, which is irradiated with the measuring light; an image forming unit configured to form a tomographic image of the object to be inspected based on the detected intensity; and a locating unit configured to locate one of a plurality of objective lenses having different focal lengths and having the same dispersion amount on an optical axis at a position on an optical path of the measuring light opposed to the object to be inspected.

Abstract: An observation system for viewing light-sensitive tissue includes an illumination system configured to illuminate the light-sensitive tissue, an imaging system configured to image at least a portion of the light-sensitive tissue upon being illuminated by the illumination system, and an image display system in communication with the imaging system to display an image of the portion of the light-sensitive tissue. The illumination system is configured to illuminate the light-sensitive tissue with a reduced amount of light within a preselected wavelength range compared to multispectral illumination light, and the image of the portion of the light-sensitive tissue is compensated for the reduced amount of light within the preselected frequency range to approximate an image of the light-sensitive tissue under the multispectral illumination.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a spatial frequency filtering process unit. The spatial frequency filtering process unit performs a spatial frequency filtering process on image data of a three-dimensional image of the observed object in accordance with the optical transfer characteristic of the microscope apparatus. The spatial frequency filtering process is a process of changing a spatial frequency characteristic included in the three-dimensional image. The three-dimensional image is constructed from a plurality of two-dimensional images of the observed object acquired by the microscope apparatus under a first illumination light amount distribution. The first illumination light amount distribution is formed by moving a condensing position of a light sheet in an illumination direction. The light sheet is emitted to the observed object from the illumination direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter, a CMY color mixing assembly using the filter and an optical system thereof. Said filter comprises a substrate and a filtering film plated on the substrate, and the filtering film comprises a uniform region and a color mixing region. The thickness of the filtering film in the uniform region is uniform, while the thickness of the filtering film in the color mixing region is not uniform. The thickness of the filtering film in the uniform region is greater than or equal to the thickness of the filtering film in the color mixing region, and the thickness of the filtering film of a central region of the color mixing region is greater than the thickness of the filtering film of side regions of the color mixing region. Said color mixing region is provided at a side where the filter first accesses to a light path.

Abstract: An optical construction includes a quantum dot film element including a plurality of quantum dots, a first optical recycling element, and a first low refractive index element separating the quantum dot film element from the first optical recycling element. The first low refractive index element has a refractive index of 1.3 or less.

Abstract: A sample observation device includes an illumination optical system and an observation optical system, and the illumination optical system includes a light source, a condenser lens and an aperture member, and the observation optical system includes an objective lens and an imaging lens, and the aperture member has a light-shielding part or a darkening part and a transmission part, and the aperture member is disposed so that the light-shielding part or the darkening part includes an optical axis of the illumination optical system, and an image of an inner edge of the transmission part is formed inside of an outer edge of the pupil of the objective lens, and an image of an outer edge of the transmission part is formed outside of the outer edge of the pupil of the objective lens.

Abstract: A three-dimensional information obtaining apparatus includes an illumination optical system that illuminates a sample with a light sheet, an imaging device that has a two-dimensional imaging element and that captures an image of the sample illuminated by the illumination optical system, an observation optical system that forms, on the two-dimensional imaging element, a plurality of optical images of the sample observed from a plurality of different directions, and an arithmetic device that calculates three-dimensional information of the sample from a plurality of pieces of image data of the sample. A thickness D of the light sheet satisfies D?8·PP/?/NA when PP>?·?/(4·NA) is satisfied, where PP is a pixel pitch of the two-dimensional imaging element, ? is a wavelength of observation light, ? is a magnification of the plurality of optical images, and NA is a numerical aperture on an object side of the observation optical system.

Abstract: A stimulated-emission-depletion (STED) super-resolution microscope includes an excitation light source, a depletion light source, an excitation light expanded beam alignment system, a spiral-shaped phase plate, a Bessel beam generating system, a depletion light focus lens, a beam combination system, an objective lens, a piezoelectric scanning system, a filter, a signal collection system, and a single-photon detector. The depletion light can be a first-order Bessel beam. The depletion light has anti-scattering and self-healing characteristics, and is capable of keeping the spot shape at a deeper position of a sample, thereby improving image resolution in the deep region of the sample. Compared to conventional STED super resolution microscope of deep-layer imaging using an adjustable correction collar, the present invention is simpler in experimental operations and does not require active adjustments. Compared to adaptive optical systems, the present experimental apparatus is simpler and less expensive.

Abstract: A high power microscopy illumination system is disclosed, having a liquid cooled, Solid State Light Source (SSLS) unit including one or more LED light sources, thermally mounted on a cold plate, which is cooled by a closed-loop liquid cooling system including a remote unit housing a heat exchanger. The SSLS unit with the LED light source is compact and lightweight, and is mechanically and optically directly coupled to the illumination port of the microscope, for efficient optical coupling to the imaging plane. High capacity cooling of the LEDs, enables the LEDs to be driven at higher current densities for increased optical output and for operation with improved thermal stability. The LED driver circuitry may also be housed within the SSLS unit and liquid cooled. The SSLS unit is vibrationally isolated from vibration-causing components of the cooling system, such as cooling fans and other bulky components, which are housed in the remote unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transmitted light illumination for light microscopes having changing effective entrance pupil of an objective. The apparatus has a light source for emitting an illuminating light beam, and a holding device for holding a sample to be examined, and at least one diaphragm edge for trimming the illuminating light beam bundle, wherein the diaphragm edge is arranged between the holding device and the light source and extends transversely to an optical axis, wherein a beam path of the illuminating light between the diaphragm edge and a sample held by the holding device is free from beam focussing components.

Abstract: A light sheet microscope includes an illumination optical system that irradiates a light sheet onto a sample and a setting changer that changes a setting of a divergence angle or convergence angle relating to a width direction of the light sheet emitted from the illumination optical system.

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 light sheet illumination microscope includes an illumination optical system configured to illuminate a sample from a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of a detection optical system. The illumination optical system includes a first optical element configured to convert light emitted from a light source into a light sheet that forms an illumination area having a sheet shape substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the detection optical system when the sample is irradiated with the light sheet. The illumination optical system further includes a second optical element that configured to act on the light emitted from the light source such that the light sheet is converged, diverged or diffracted in a width direction of the light sheet.

Abstract: A method, in which a sample is manipulated with manipulation light, includes imaging the sample using a single plane illumination microscopy SPIM technique under illumination with illumination light being an illumination light sheet of fluorescent excitation light. Both the manipulation light and the illumination light are focused by an objective brought to an objective working position. Either the manipulation light or the illumination light are diverted after passing through the objective by use of a diverting device to propagate the manipulation light or the illumination light at an angle different from zero degrees with respect to an optical axis of the objective.