Abstract: The invention is directed to a resolution-enhanced luminescence microscopy method in which a sample is excited to the emission of luminescence radiation through irradiation by excitation radiation, and an image of the luminescing sample is acquired. A first partial volume of the sample is irradiated by a first laser radiation field of the excitation radiation, and a second partial volume of the sample is irradiated by a second laser radiation field of the excitation radiation. The first partial volume of the sample and the second partial volume of the sample overlap one another partially but not completely. Only the first laser radiation field is modulated with a first frequency, and luminescence radiation is detected from the first partial volume of the sample with modulation filtering so that luminescence radiation from the second partial volume of the sample is suppressed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for high spatial resolution imaging of a sample's structure, including a diffraction-limited resolution volume with a plurality of dye molecules which can be switched between different states and have a distribution density which is greater than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume, where at least one state is fluorescing, the fluorescence being collected by an objective lens and imaged on a spatially resolving detector by an optical system. At least one light source provided for emitting a switching radiation and for emitting an excitation radiation. At least one of the light sources is arranged to radiate through the sample, and a switching and/or fluorescence excitation of the dye molecules is carried out. The switching is a photoactivation or a photodeactivation of the dye molecules. A focusing arrangement is provided for switching and/or for excitation to generate a line-like illumination region extending in a direction of illumination.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for analyzing a specimen, wherein the specimen is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis of rotation and displaceable in all three spatial directions and is illuminated by a first illumination device. Light radiated from the specimen is imaged on a detection device. A plurality of sectional images of the specimen are recorded at different settings of the rotational angle, and the specimen is rotated. The recorded sectional images are fused to form a data set of spatial image data of the specimen. The specimen is then illuminated by a second illumination device perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein a plurality of shadow images of the specimen are recorded and the specimen is rotated. A second data set of spatial image data of the specimen is constructed from the recorded shadow images by means of a back projection algorithm.

Abstract: A family of microscopes include an illumination device which produces a planar light sheet along an illumination axis of an illumination beam path and a transverse axis normal to the illumination axis. A detection device detects light emitted from the sample region along an axis of detection of a detection beam path. The illumination and detection axes as well as the transverse axis and the axis of detection being oriented relative each other at an angle unequal to zero. A light sheet generator also produces rotationally symmetrical light and includes structure and control for rapidly scanning the sample region along the transverse axis. The illumination device includes a second light sheet generator having a first astigmatically active optical element with at least one astigmatic lens for producing a static sheet of light. Selection elements used to select either the first or the second light sheet or both together to produce the sheet of light.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for positioning at least one preferably biological specimen in the specimen space of a microscope arrangement, and to devices for carrying out these methods. Methods and devices arc proposed, wherein the specimen's orientation relative to a detection objective's optical axis can be repeatedly changed and, in doing so, the specimen is held so that a substantially unobstructed view of the specimen is ensured from every detection direction. In different constructional variants, the specimen is held at a supporting device by adhesive forces or by a flowing medium, the specimen is held at a capillary opening by capillary action, or at least one specimen is embedded in a body of transparent gel, and the gel body is fixed in the specimen space by means of a rotatable holding device, and the detection direction is changed by rotating the holding device by a given angle of rotation.

Abstract: A microscope including an illumination device providing a light sheet illuminating a sample region, said sheet having a planar extension along an illumination axis of an illumination beam path and a transverse axis lying normal to the illumination axis. A detection device detects light emitted from the sample region on a detection axis the illumination axis and detection axis as well as the transverse axis and the detection axis being oriented relative each other at an angle unequal zero. The detection device has a detection lens system arranged in the detection beam path and splitting means for splitting the detection beam path into two beam sub-paths. A dichroic beam splitter in the infinity region of the surface detectors is about 3 mm thick. Wobble plate(s) disposed orthogonal to each other relative to the detection axis arranged in one of the two beam sub-paths so measured values can be automatically superimposed.

Abstract: A family of microscopes with illumination systems directing a sheet of light having an approximately planar extension in an illumination axis of an illumination beam path and in a transverse axis orthogonally oriented to the illumination axis. The microscopes have detection devices used to detect light that is emitted by a sample region. The detection devices including a detection lens system disposed in the detection beam path and an optical detection element spaced from a front lens of the detection lens system and independently adjustable thereof. The optical detection element continuously varies the size of a detection image field and/or continuously displaces a focal plane of detection in the P-region.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for positioning at least one preferably biological specimen in the specimen space of a microscope arrangement, and to devices for carrying out these methods. Methods and devices are proposed, wherein the specimen's orientation relative to a detection objective's optical axis can be repeatedly changed and, in doing so, the specimen is held so that a substantially unobstructed view of the specimen is ensured from every detection direction. In different constructional variants, the specimen is held at a supporting device by adhesive forces or by a flowing medium, the specimen is held at a capillary opening by capillary action, or at least one specimen is embedded in a body of transparent gel, and the gel body is fixed in the specimen space by means of a rotatable holding device, and the detection direction is changed by rotating the holding device by a given angle of rotation.

Abstract: A microscope including an illumination device for a light sheet having an approximately planar extension along an illumination axis of an illumination beam path with a transverse axis to the illumination axis. Light emitted from the sample region on axis of detection the illumination axis and the axis of detection as well as the transverse axis and the axis of detection being oriented relative at an non-zero angle. The illumination device includes structure deflecting light to different beam path and thus produces an additional sheet of light, together illuminating the sample region on common illumination axis, and with switches between beam paths. Detection device has a detection lens system for light from by the sample region. The switches include a rapidly switching element with a time <10 ms, a predetermined integration of the surface detector synchronized so the sample region is illuminated twice during integration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an objective replacement device for a microscope, wherein the sample is located in a sample chamber and surrounded by an immersion medium within the sample chamber, means for positioning and aligning the sample relative to the focus of an objective being present, wherein the detection beam path is aligned horizontally, which is to say perpendicular to the direction of action of gravity. For an objective replacement device for a microscope of the type described above, according to the invention a device is provided for exchanging the objective, at the focus of which the sample is positioned and aligned, with at least another objective, the position and alignment of the sample within the sample chamber remaining the same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a resolution-enhanced luminescence microscopy method in which a sample is excited to the emission of luminescence radiation through irradiation by excitation radiation, and an image of the luminescing sample is acquired. A first partial volume of the sample is irradiated by a first laser radiation field of the excitation radiation, and a second partial volume of the sample is irradiated by a second laser radiation field of the excitation radiation. The first partial volume of the sample and the second partial volume of the sample overlap one another partially but not completely. Only the first laser radiation field is modulated with a first frequency, and luminescence radiation is detected from the first partial volume of the sample with modulation filtering so that luminescence radiation from the second partial volume of the sample is suppressed.

Abstract: A holder for a loudspeaker box onto which the loudspeaker box can be slipped. The holder includes a control handle and a clamping device actuatable without tools via the control handle.

Abstract: Loudspeaker wall holder and method of mounting a loudspeaker box. The loudspeaker wall holder includes a base mountable on a wall surface, an arm coupled to the base, and a holder comprising a clamping device. The holder is mounted on the arm and is structured and arranged to receive a portion of a loudspeaker box. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An arrangement for holding and positioning a sample in the detection area of the objective of a microscope, the detection area being located in a chamber which is filled with an immersion liquid. This arrangement includes (1) a sample holder to which the sample is affixed so as to lie upon a point P in a coordinate system X, Y, Z, coordinate Z being defined by the optical axis of the microscope objective and the coordinate origin laying within the detection area, (2) a device by which the position of point P can be varied within the coordinate system X, Y, Z, wherein the range of variation comprehends the detection area, and (3) a device for rotating the sample affixed to the sample holder around point P, wherein a straight line G which encloses with coordinate Z an angle ? whose size can be changed is the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method for positioning and aligning a preferably biological sample in the detection area of the objective of a microscope arrangement. According to the invention, the method mentioned above has the following method steps: a sample is introduced into a transparent medium, preferably agarose gel, which is initially liquid; the medium is changed from the liquid state to the solid state, wherein the sample is fixated within the medium, but the transparency of the medium is retained; the solidified medium is positioned in the microscope arrangement in such a way that the sample enclosed therein is situated in the detection area of the objective. Further, a device is proposed for positioning and aligning a preferably biological sample in the detection area of the objective of a microscope arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for high spatial resolution imaging of a sample's structure, including a diffraction-limited resolution volume with a plurality of dye molecules which can be switched between different states and have a distribution density which is greater than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume, where at least one state is fluorescing, the fluorescence being collected by an objective lens and imaged on a spatially resolving detector by an optical system. At least one light source provided for emitting a switching radiation and for emitting an excitation radiation. At least one of the light sources is arranged to radiate through the sample, and a switching and/or fluorescence excitation of the dye molecules is carried out. The switching is a photoactivation or a photodeactivation of the dye molecules. A focusing arrangement is provided for switching and/or for excitation to generate a line-like illumination region extending in a direction of illumination.

Abstract: A microscopy device, particularly for use in an imaging fluorescence lifetime microscopy method is provided. The microscopy device comprises an illumination means for generating an illumination beam, an imaging detector for spatially resolved acquisition of an emission radiation emitted by an object to be examined, an illumination beam path between the illumination means and the object to be examined, and a detection beam path between the object to be examined and the detector. The illumination beam path comprises illumination optics which are designed to generate a light sheet of illumination radiation extending transverse to the axis of the illumination beam path, wherein the axis of the detection beam path is oriented substantially perpendicular to a section plane of the light sheet and of the object to be examined. The illumination means comprise a pulsed laser.