Abstract: The invention refers to a process for determining the focus position when imaging a specimen (4) with a field stop imaged onto the specimen detecting this image using a position-sensitive receiving-device inclined relative to the field stop defining the focus position by means of intensity distribution in the receiving device. The invention also refers to set-ups as regards implementation of the process according to the invention.

Abstract: To provide an illumination beam (5) which is essentially homogeneous in cross-section, in particular for a laser scanning microscope (15), an illumination device is used which provides an original beam which is essentially rotationally symmetric in cross-section and is incident at a converting unit which then transmits the desired illumination beam (5) and which comprises, for this purpose, an aspherical, convex mirror (1) which is more strongly curved in the area of the point of incidence of the original beam (3) than in the areas removed from the point of incidence.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process for determining the focus position when imaging a specimen (4) with a field stop imaged onto the specimen detecting this image using a position-sensitive receiving-device inclined relative to the field stop defining the focus position by means of intensity distribution in the receiving device. The invention also refers to set-ups as regards implementation of the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A confocal laser scanning microscope including an excitation beam path which focuses excitation radiation in a multiplicity of spots arranged in an object plane, and a detection beam path which confocally images the spots onto a multi-channel detector by means of pinhole stops, as well as a scanning unit which causes a two-dimensional relative movement between an object located in the object plane and the spots is described, wherein the scanning unit, during said relative movement, displaces the spots along a first direction and thus scans a strip of the object with the spots, and then displaces the spots along a second direction, in order to subsequently scan an adjacent strip by renewed displacement along said first direction.

Abstract: To provide an illumination beam (5) which is essentially homogeneous in cross-section, for a laser scanning microscope with light distribution in the form of a point, an illumination device is used which provides an original beam which is essentially rotationally symmetric in cross-section and is incident at a converting unit which then transmits the desired illumination beam (5) and which comprises, for this purpose, an aspherical, convex mirror (1) which is more strongly curved in the area of the point of incidence of the original beam (3) than in the areas removed from the point of incidence.

Abstract: To provide an illumination beam (5) which is essentially homogeneous in cross-section, in particular for a laser scanning microscope (15), an illumination device is used which provides an original beam which is essentially rotationally symmetric in cross-section and is incident at a converting unit which then transmits the desired illumination beam (5) and which comprises, for this purpose, an aspherical, convex mirror (1) which is more strongly curved in the area of the point of incidence of the original beam (3) than in the areas removed from the point of incidence.

Abstract: To provide an illumination beam (5) which is essentially homogeneous in cross-section, for a laser scanning microscope with sampling in the form of a line (15), an illumination device is used which provides an original beam which is essentially rotationally symmetric in cross-section and is incident at a converting unit which then transmits the desired illumination beam (5) and which comprises, for this purpose, an aspherical, convex mirror (1) which is more strongly curved in the area of the point of incidence of the original beam (3) than in the areas removed from the point of incidence.

Abstract: Emboidments are presented to improve spatial resolution or sensitivity in measuring fluorescent layers, including an embodiment wherein a specimen slide is provided which is not fluorescent by itself, is plate-shaped and has at least one plate side provided with fluorescent light absorbing properties, or with an antireflection-coating for fluorescent radiation.

Abstract: Emboidments are presented to improve spatial resolution or sensitivity in measuring fluorescent layers, including an embodiment wherein a specimen slide is provided which is not fluorescent by itself, is plate-shaped and has at least one plate side provided with fluorescent light absorbing properties, or with an antireflection-coating for fluorescent radiation.

Abstract: An arrangement for the detection of biomolecular reactions and interactions using the RS screening method and comprises a specimen plate or microtiter plate (PP or MTP), a white light source with subsequently arranged illumination beam path, a splitter plate on which the PP or the MTP is set for generating a detection beam path, and optical means for imaging the measurement beam path and reference beam path on a spatially resolving detector array of a CCD camera which is connected with an evaluating unit or with a computer for determining measurement values.

Abstract: A microscope system for detecting the emission distribution of specimens which emit light at least in a punctiform manner, particularly for failure analysis of integrated circuits, comprises an imaging beam path from the specimen in the direction of an at least one-dimensional receiver distribution, wherein at least one element is provided in the imaging beam path for spectral division of the light which is emitted at least in a punctiform manner.

Abstract: A microtiter plate is formed of a bottom plate which is transparent for light and a cavity plate which is open at two surfaces facing one another and which has a matrix-shaped arrangement of cavities or wells. The bottom plate and cavity plate are fixedly connected with one another in a liquid-tight manner. The bottom plate has a thickness of from 0.01 mm to approximately 5 mm and has planar surfaces without structures. It has, at its first surface facing the wells, a layer system formed of at least two layers with different indexes of refraction. The bottom plate is provided at its second surface remote of the wells with a coating which sharply reduces the reflectivity of this surface. The bottom plate is recessed into the lower part of the cavity plate in such a way that it does not project over a support surface located in the cavity plate.

Abstract: A process and a device are described for detecting physical, chemical, biological or biochemical reactions and interactions on biochemically or chemically functionalized specimen carriers in the form of layers or films from the spectral reflection after irradiation of the specimens with light of different wavelengths. In so doing, parameters for the nature of the specimens are determined in an economical and highly accurate manner and with a high degree of parallelism in the measurements. According to the process, the specimens are arranged on a substrate plate with a carrier layer of a carrier plate and are irradiated with light.

Abstract: Arrangement for analysis of substances at or near the surface of an optical sensor with at least one wave-guiding film and at least one multidiffraction grating coupler for in-coupling and out-coupling of light beams, in which at least two light beams enclosing an angle .alpha. relative to one another are coupled in and by which at least two light beams enclosing an angle .phi. relative to one another are coupled out, and with a detection system for detecting the out-coupled light beams, wherein in-coupling and out-coupling are effected on one and the same side of the sensor and the in-couple beams and out-couple beams lie in different quadrants of the plane of incident light, and the angle .alpha. between the in-couple beams is greater than the angle .phi. between the out-couple beams. The arrangement has multiple uses for determining physical or chemical measured quantities based on the interaction of the guided light waves with the medium at or near the sensor surface.