Abstract: A method for operating a point laser-scanning microscope includes scanning a sample with a focused illumination laser beam; recording a plurality of images by detecting elements being configurable to an intensity mode, in which the recorded images are intensity images gi,j(n) related to photons collected during an entire dwell time of the illumination beam on an individual position n, or to a time-resolved mode, in which the recorded images are time-resolved images gi,jt(n, t), the collected photons being discriminated based on their arrival times to individual detecting elements; calculating a fingerprint image a by summing the plurality of intensity images gi,j(n) over all positions n; estimating shift matrices sx and sy from the intensity images gi,j(n); reconstructing at least one of a time-resolved object function ft and an intensity object function f; and visualizing at least one of a high-resolution time-resolved image ft˜ and a high-resolution intensity image f˜.

Abstract: Method for increasing the optical resolution of a stimulated emission depletion microscope, or STED microscope (Stimulated Emission Depletion), based on the modulation of the intensity of a STED beam on an arbitrary time scale during the acquisition of an image and the analysis of the induced dynamics, without increasing the intensity of the STED beam and in a simple and economic manner.

Abstract: Lightening method of at least one biological sample (S), in which said at least one biological sample includes at least one or more fluorophores, at the focal point (F) of at least one objective lens (L) having a main optical axis (z-z), the method comprising the following operational steps:—lightening (step 10) said at least one biological sample (S) with at least one excitation beam (EB), which propagates between said at least one objective lens (L) and said at least one biological sample (S) along at least one first propagation axis (a-a);—lightening (step 20) said at least one biological sample (S) with at least two depletion beams (DB, DB?), which propagate between said at least one objective lens (L) and said at least one biological sample (S) along the respective second propagation axes (b-b, said depletion beams being donut-shaped, each one in a plane orthogonal to the respective second propagation axis (b-b, b?-b?); whereby said at least one first propagation axis (a-a) and said at least second propa

Abstract: A method for operating a point laser-scanning microscope comprises scanning a sample with a focused illumination laser beam; recording a plurality of images by detecting elements being configurable to an intensity mode, in which the recorded images are intensity images gi,j(n) related to photons collected during an entire dwell time of the illumination laser beam on an individual position n, or to a time-resolved mode, in which the recorded images are time-resolved images gi,jt(n,t), the collected photons being discriminated based on their arrival times to individual detecting elements; calculating a fingerprint image a by summing the plurality of intensity images gi,j(n) over all positions n; estimating shift matrices sx and sy from the intensity images gi,j(n); reconstructing at least one of a time-resolved object function ft and an intensity object function f; and visualizing at least one of a high-resolution time-resolved image ft˜ and a high-resolution intensity image f˜.

Abstract: Lightening method of at least one biological sample (S), in which said at least one biological sample includes at least one or more fluorophores, at the focal point (F) of at least one objective lens (L) having a main optical axis (z-z), the method comprising the following operational steps:—lightening (step 10) said at least one biological sample (S) with at least one excitation beam (EB), which propagates between said at least one objective lens (L) and said at least one biological sample (S) along at least one first propagation axis (a-a);—lightening (step 20) said at least one biological sample (S) with at least two depletion beams (DB, DB?), which propagate between said at least one objective lens (L) and said at least one biological sample (S) along the respective second propagation axes (b-b, said depletion beams being donut-shaped, each one in a plane orthogonal to the respective second propagation axis (b-b, b?-b?); whereby said at least one first propagation axis (a-a) and said at least second propa

Abstract: Method for increasing the optical resolution of a stimulated emission depletion microscope, or STED microscope (Stimulated Emission Depletion), based on the modulation of the intensity of a STED beam on an arbitrary time scale during the acquisition of an image and the analysis of the induced dynamics, without increasing the intensity of the STED beam and in a simple and economic manner.

Abstract: Microscopy method and apparatus for determining the positions of emitter objects in a three-dimensional space that comprises focusing scattered light or fluorescent light emitted by an emitter object, separating the focused beam in a first and a second optical beam, directing the first and the second optical beam through a varifocal lens having an optical axis such that the first optical beam impinges on the lens along the optical axis and the second beam impinges decentralized with respect to the optical axis of the varifocal lens, simultaneously capturing a first image created by the first optical beam and a second image created by the second optical beam, and determining the relative displacement of the position of the object in the first and in the second image, wherein the relative displacement contains the information of the axial position of the object along a perpendicular direction to the image plane.

Abstract: Microscopy method and apparatus for determining the positions of emitter objects in a three-dimensional space that comprises focusing scattered light or fluorescent light emitted by an emitter object, separating the focused beam in a first and a second optical beam, directing the first and the second optical beam through a varifocal lens having an optical axis such that the first optical beam impinges on the lens along the optical axis and the second beam impinges decentralized with respect to the optical axis of the varifocal lens, simultaneously capturing a first image created by the first optical beam and a second image created by the second optical beam, and determining the relative displacement of the position of the object in the first and in the second image, wherein the relative displacement contains the information of the axial position of the object along a perpendicular direction to the image plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anodic porous alumina (APA) in the form of microparticles, characterized in that it contains interconnected through nanopores, and to its use in the preparation of a new composite material, which is useful for example in the field of conservative dentistry. The invention further relates to a process for preparing the nanoporous alumina of the invention in microparticles.

Abstract: Optical scanning system, comprising an optical system for guiding a first and a second light beam, and deflector devices for deflecting first and second light beams in a directionally variable manner. The deflector devices comprise at least one acousto-optic deflector, and the optical system is arranged in such a way that the first and second light beams are counter-propagating through the acousto-optic deflector, which is controllable for deflecting the first and second light beams simultaneously or in pulse sequence. STED microscopy apparatus comprising an optical scanning system based on acousto-optic deflectors.

Abstract: Method of optical microscopy by scanning a sample containing an excitable species, the method comprising: directing a first and a second light beam onto respective, partially overlapped areas of the sample, wherein the first light beam is provided for exciting members of the excitable species, and the second light beam is provided for reducing the number of excited members; detecting an optical signal coming from the sample, comprising a main component and a spurious component, during consecutive first and second time gates, the first time gate being provided for detecting the optical signal for a time interval during which the main component and the spurious component are both present, and the second time gate being provided for detecting the optical signal for a time interval during which the main component tends to or is zero; processing the detected optical signal to separate its main component.

Abstract: Optical scanning system, comprising an optical system for guiding a first and a second light beam, and deflector devices for deflecting first and second light beams in a directionally variable manner. The deflector devices comprise at least one acousto-optic deflector, and the optical system is arranged in such a way that the first and second light beams are counter-propagating through the acousto-optic deflector, which is controllable for deflecting the first and second light beams simultaneously or in pulse sequence. STED microscopy apparatus comprising an optical scanning system based on acousto-optic deflectors.

Abstract: Method of optical microscopy by scanning a sample containing an excitable species, the method comprising: directing a first and a second light beam onto respective, partially overlapped areas of the sample, wherein the first light beam is provided for exciting members of the excitable species, and the second light beam is provided for reducing the number of excited members; detecting an optical signal coming from the sample, comprising a main component and a spurious component, during consecutive first and second time gates, the first time gate being provided for detecting the optical signal for a time interval during which the main component and the spurious component are both present, and the second time gate being provided for detecting the optical signal for a time interval during which the main component tends to or is zero; processing the detected optical signal to separate its main component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anodic porous alumina (APA) in the form of microparticles, characterized in that it contains interconnected through nanopores, and to its use in the preparation of a new composite material, which is useful for example in the field of conservative dentistry. The invention further relates to a process for preparing the nanoporous alumina of the invention in microparticles.

Abstract: An optical and atomic force microscopy measurement integrated system is described. The system has an atomic force microscope having a first probe configured to interact with a sample to be analysed, an optical tweezer, a second probe configured to be held in the focus of the optical tweezer, movement means for moving the two probes, measurement means for measuring the variations of position of the two probes and processing means configured to receive, as an input, the measurement signals of the two probes to generate an output signal representative of the sample.