Abstract: A method for illuminating at least one sample in SPIM microscopy includes generating a light beam and forming a light strip from the light beam using an optical device that interacts with the light beam. The light strip is passed strip through at least one objective having optics configured to deliver detection light emanating from the sample directly or indirectly to a detector, with the objective optics interacting with the light strip. The light strip is deflected using a light-redirecting device downstream of the objective optics so as to propagate the light strip, after deflection, at an angle other than zero degrees with respect to an optical axis of the objective in order to illuminate the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope system and to a method for operating a microscope system. The microscope system comprises a microscope (2) which has at least one automatically adjustable structural component. The structural component is provided with at least one adjustable element. Also provided are a digital camera (25) for entering image data of an image of a sample (40) that is to be analyzed and a computer system (4) having at least one display (6) and at least one storage unit (9). Data is also assigned to the image data of the at least one image in the storage unit (9), said data enabling adjustment of the microscope (2) in correspondence with the adjustment of the image data stored in the data storage (9).