Abstract: The object of the invention relates to a method for scanning with an optical beam (50) using a first acousto-optic deflector (15, 15?) having an optical axis along a Z-axis and at least one acousto-optic crystal layer (14), involving directing the optical beam (50) in the first acousto-optic deflector (15, 15?), and deflecting the optical beam (50) along an X-axis perpendicular to the Z-axis by means of the first acousto-optic deflector (15, 15), during which generating a plurality of acoustic chirp signals (30) in the at least one acousto-optic crystal layer (14) of the acousto-optic deflector (15, 15?) by—generating a first acoustic chirp signal (30a) having a duration of ? in the acousto-optic crystal layer (14), then—generating a second acoustic chirp signal (30b) in the acousto-optic crystal layer (14) within a ? period of time counted from the start of the generation of the first acoustic chirp signal (30a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel red fluorescent sensors for detecting metal ions, preferably zinc ions, which have a chemical structure corresponding to a compound of general formula I. These sensors are very useful for determining the concentration and distribution of zinc in living cells or tissues, preferably in a laser microscopic assay.

Abstract: An acousto-optic deflector with a layered structure (10) comprises at least two acousto-optic crystals (12), to each of which at least one electro-acoustic transducer (14) is connected, and the adjacent crystals (12) are separated by an acoustic isolator (16). A method for deflecting an optical beam using the acousto-optic deflector (10), comprises creating a first acoustic wave (15?) in a first acousto-optic crystal (12?) using a first electro-acoustic transducer (14?) connected to the first acousto-optic crystal (12?), and creating a second acoustic wave (15?) in a second acousto-optic crystal (12?) using a second electro-acoustic transducer (14?) connected to the second acousto-optic crystal (12?) and arranged between the first acousto-optic crystal (12?) and the second acousto-optic crystal (12?).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for scanning along a continuous scanning trajectory with a scanner system (100) comprising a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10) for deflecting a focal spot of an electromagnetic beam generated by a consecutive lens system (200) defining an optical axis (z) in an x-z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20) for deflecting the focal spot in a y-z plane being substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, characterized by changing the acoustic frequency sweeps with time continuously in the deflectors (12, 12?) of the first pair of deflectors (10) and in the deflectors (22, 22?) of the second pair of deflectors (20) so as to cause the focal spot to move continuously along the scanning trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acousto-optic deflector comprising a bulk of acousto-optic medium and acoustic wave generator coupled to the bulk, characterized by that the acoustic wave generator comprises at least two different electro-acoustic transducers for generating acoustic waves in the bulk.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical microscope system (10) for the simultaneous measurement of at least two spatially distinct regions of interest, characterized by comprising at least two distinct optical measuring heads (12a, 12b, 12c) that can be simultaneously focused on spatially distinct arbitrary regions of interest, each optical measuring head is optically connectable with at least one scan head (14), the optical microscope system further comprising a control system (32) connected to the at least one scan head and the optical measuring head, the control system being configured to provide for synchronized control of the operation of the at least one scan head and the at least two optical measuring head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the 3-dimensional measurement of a sample with a measuring system having a 3-dimensional measuring space and comprising a laser scanning microscope, characterised by—providing the measuring system with a 3-dimensional virtual reality device,—creating the 3-dimensional virtual space of the measuring space using the 3-dimensional virtual reality device,—allowing for selecting an operation in the virtual space,—providing real-time unidirectional or bidirectional connection between the measuring space and the virtual space such that an operation selected in the virtual space is performed in the measuring space and data measured in the measuring space is displayed in the virtual space.

Abstract: Use of photochemically cleavable compounds in course of one or multi-photon irradiation experiments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensator system adapted to compensate for the angular dispersion of electromagnetic beams deflected by at least one acousto-optic deflector of an optical system, wherein the angular dispersion of each deflected beam is dependent on the deflection angle obtained by the deflecting acoustic frequency of the acousto-optic deflector, characterized in that the compensator system comprises: —a first lens group for spatially separating the deflected beams of different deflection angle and angular dispersion by focusing the beams substantially into the focal plane, —a compensator element having a first surface and a second surface, and being arranged such that the first surface of the compensator element lies substantially in the focal plane of the first lens group, and the first and second surfaces of the compensator element have nominal radiuses R1 and R2 that together work as prisms with tilt angles ? and prism opening angles ?p that vary with the distance from the optical axis so as t

Abstract: A laser scanning reflection or fluorescent microscope is provided with focusing-detecting unit having a laser beam focusing objective, an image detector that detects light reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light emitted by the sample, and a drive that simultaneously displaces the objective and the image detector.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope is provided with a laser beam focusing device, a drive for the focusing device, a laser beam deflector, and a control system that coordinates movement of the focusing device with that of the laser beam deflector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out measurements on at least one region of interest within a sample via a laser scanning microscope having focusing means for focusing a laser beam and having electro-mechano-optic deflector for deflecting the laser beam, the method comprising: providing a scanning trajectory for the at least one region of interest; providing a sequence of measurements and the corresponding scanning trajectories; providing cross-over trajectories between the scanning trajectories of two consecutive measurements; deflecting the laser beam via the electro-mechano-optic means for moving a focus spot of the focused laser beam along a scanning trajectory at an average scanning speed; and deflecting the laser beam via the electro-mechano-optic means for moving the focus spot of the laser beam along a cross-over trajectory at a cross-over speed having a maximum, the maximum of the cross-over speed being higher than the average scanning speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for scanning along a continuous scanning trajectory with a scanner system (100) comprising a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10) for deflecting a focal spot of an electromagnetic beam generated by a consecutive lens system (200) defining an optical axis (z) in an x-z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20) for deflecting the focal spot in a y-z plane being substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, characterised by changing the acoustic frequency sweeps with time continuously in the deflectors (12, 12?) of the first pair of deflectors (10) and in the deflectors (22, 22?) of the second pair of deflectors (20) so as to cause the focal spot to move continuously along the scanning trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensator system adapted to compensate for the angular dispersion of electromagnetic beams deflected by at least one acousto-optic deflector of an optical system, wherein the angular dispersion of each deflected beam is dependent on the deflection angle obtained by the deflecting acoustic frequency of the acousto-optic deflector, characterised in that the compensator system comprises: —a first lens group for spatially separating the deflected beams of different deflection angle and angular dispersion by focusing the beams substantially into the focal plane, —a compensator element having a first surface and a second surface, and being arranged such that the first surface of the compensator element lies substantially in the focal plane of the first lens group, and the first and second surfaces of the compensator element have nominal radiuses R1 and R2 that together work as prisms with tilt angles ? and prism opening angles ?p that vary with the distance from the optical axis so as t

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the 3-dimensional measurement of a sample with a measuring system having a 3-dimensional measuring space and comprising a laser scanning microscope, characterised by—providing the measuring system with a 3-dimensional virtual reality device,—creating the 3-dimensional virtual space of the measuring space using the 3-dimensional virtual reality device,—allowing for selecting an operation in the virtual space,—providing real-time unidirectional or bidirectional convection between the measuring space and the virtual space such that an operation selected in the virtual space is performed in the measuring space and data measured in the measuring space is displayed in the virtual space.

Abstract: Use of photochemically cleavable compounds in course of one or multi-photon irradiation experiments.

Abstract: A laser scanning reflection or fluorescent microscope is provided with focusing-detecting unit having a laser beam focusing objective, an image detector that detects light reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light emitted by the sample, and a drive that simultaneously displaces the objective and the image detector.

Abstract: A focusing system for focusing an electromagnetic beam for three-dimensional random access applications comprises a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in an X-Z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in a Y-Z plane substantially perpendicular to the X-Z plane. The second pair of acousto-optic deflectors is arranged between the acousto-optic deflectors of the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors such that the first and fourth acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors and the second and third acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a focusing system (100) for focusing an electromagnetic beam for three-dimensional random access applications, the system comprising a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10) for focusing an electromagnetic beam in an X-Z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20) for focusing an electromagnetic beam in a Y-Z plane being substantially perpendicular to the X-Z plane, characterised in that the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20) are arranged between the acousto-optic deflectors (12, 12?) of the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10), such that the first and fourth acousto-optic deflectors (12, 12?) of the system belong to the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10) and the second and third acousto-optic deflectors (22, 22?) of the system belong to the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser scanning microscope (10) for scanning a sample, the microscope having focusing means (15) having a focal plane (29) and comprising at least one optical element for focusing a laser beam (13), drive means (18) for displacing the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15), at least one detector means (24?) for detecting light (13?) reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light (13?) emitted by the sample, characterised by the detector means (24?) being connected to the drive means (18) such that the drive means (18) may simultaneously displace the detector means (24?) with the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15). The present invention further relates to a method of performing 3D scanning with the inventive laser scanning microscope.