Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for combining light from at least two laser light sources, preferably in the context of confocal scanning microscopy, and in order to make laser light sources of low output power usable as light sources, in particular for confocal scanning microscopy, is characterized in that the light from the laser light sources has at least approximately the same wavelength; and that at least one beam combining unit that combines the light beams in at least largely lossless fashion is provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses a scanning microscope (1) having a laser (2), which emits a light beam of a first wavelength (5, 43, 53) and is directed onto an optical element (9) that modifies the wavelength of the light beam at least to some extent. Means (16) for suppressing the light of the first wavelength in the modified-wavelength light beam (5, 47, 57) are provided.

Abstract: In a method for scanning microscopy a specimen, that contains at least one fluorescent dye, is illuminated with illuminating light. The detection light proceeding from scan points of the specimen is detected with a spectral detector that generates spectral data for each scan point. An amplitude value is determined from the spectral data for each fluorescent dye and transferred to a processing module.

Abstract: A scanning microscope is disclosed, through which a sample (14) can be illuminated and detected. An illumination pinhole and a detection pinhole (10, 16) are respectively arranged in the illumination beam path and in the detection beam path (8, 15), an optical component (4), which generates at least to some extent spectrally broadened illumination light, is provided in the illumination beam path (8). A polarization-independent and wavelength-independent beam splitter (11) is arranged in a fixed position in the illumination beam path and the detection beam path (8, 15).

Abstract: The invention discloses an illuminating device (1) having a laser (3) that emits a light beam (7), which is directed onto a microstructured optical element (13) that spectrally broadens the light from the laser. The laser (3) and the microstructured optical element (13) are arranged within the casing.

Abstract: The invention discloses an entangled-photon microscope (1) having a light source (3) and an objective (31). The entangled-photon microscope (1) has a microstructured optical element (11), in which entangled photons can be produced, between the light source (3) and the objective (31), the entangled photons propagating in a beam (15) inside and outside the microstructured optical element.

Abstract: A scanning microscope that defines an illumination beam path and a detection beam path, having an objective that is arranged in both the illumination beam path and the detection beam path, is disclosed. The scanning microscope is characterized by an interchangeable module that is also arranged in the illumination beam path and a [sic] detection beam path and that separates the illumination beam path and detection beam path at a fixed angular relationship to one another and comprises at least a first acoustooptical component. Also disclosed is an optical element having at least three ports.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the light power level of a light beam (7), having a beam splitter (1) and a detector (11) associated with the beam splitter (1), is disclosed. The apparatus is characterized in that the beam splitter (1) splits measuring light (23) out of the light beam and conveys it to the detector (11), and that the ratio between the light power level of the light beam (7) and the light power level of the measuring light (23) measured at the detector (11) is constant over time.

Abstract: A device (70) for adjusting the light beam (1) in a microscope (15) is disclosed, wherein the microscope (15) defined an optical axis (60). The device (70) comprises means for coupling in (3) the light beam into a housing (80) of the device (70). The means for coupling in (3) defines a coupling in point (3a) and a coupled in light beam (9). At least a first and a second detector (10, 22) are positioned in different distances to the coupling point (3a). In the coupled in light beam (9) at least one beam splitter (36) is provided, which directs the coupled in light beam (9) onto at least one of the photo detectors (10, 22).

Abstract: A device (70) is disclosed for adjusting a light beam (1) in an optical system (100), whereby the optical system (100) defines an optical axis (60). The device (70) for adjusting comprises means for coupling-in (3) of the light beam into a housing part (80) of the device (70). The means for coupling-in (3) determines a coupling-in point (3a) and a coupled in light beam (9). At a least first and a second photo detector (10, 22) are arranged in different in distances to the coupling-in point (3a). In the coupled in light beam (9) at least one beam splitter (36) is provided, which directs the coupled in light beam (9) on at least one of the photo detectors (10, 22).

Abstract: A scanning microscope is disclosed, through which a sample (14) can be illuminated and detected. An illumination pinhole and a detection pinhole (10, 16) are respectively arranged in the illumination beam path and in the detection beam path (8, 15), an optical component (4), which generates at least to some extent spectrally broadened illumination light, is provided in the illumination beam path (8). A polarization-independent and wavelength-independent beam splitter (11) is arranged in a fixed position in the illumination beam path and the detection beam path (8, 15).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for illuminating an object with light (2) from a laser light source (3), preferably in a confocal scanning microscope (1). With the method according to the invention, it is possible to reduce the coherence length of the laser light, so that disruptive interference phenomena can be substantially eliminated. Should interference phenomena nevertheless be formed, these are to be influenced in such a way that they have no effect on the detection. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the phase angle of the light field is varied by a modulation means (4) in such a way that interference phenomena do not occur in the optical beam path, or occur only to an undetectable extent, within a predeterminable time interval.

Abstract: The arrangement for studying microscopic preparations with a scanning microscope consists of a laser (1) and an objective (12), which focuses the light produced by the laser (1) onto a sample (13) to be studied, an optical waveguide element (3), which transports the light produced by the laser (1), being provided between the laser (1) and the objective (12). The optical waveguide element is constructed from a plurality of micro-optical structure elements which have at least two different optical densities. It is particularly advantageous if the optical waveguide element (3) consists of photonic band gap material and is configured as an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for illuminating is disclosed, which is characterized by the steps of injecting (1) the light beam (13) from a laser (9) into a optical element (19), which spectrally broadens the light of the light beam (13) and shaping (3) the spectrally broadened light (31) to form an illumination light beam (29). An instrument (7) for illuminating is furthermore disclosed, which comprises a laser (9) that emits a light beam (13), which is directed onto a optical element (19) that spectrally broadens the light from the laser. A optical means (33) which shapes the spectrally broadened light (31) to form an illumination light beam (29) is arranged downstream of the microstructured optical element (19).

Abstract: The invention discloses a scanning microscope (1) having a laser (2), which emits a light beam of a first wavelength (5, 43, 53) and is directed onto an optical element (9) that modifies the wavelength of the light beam at least to some extent. Means (16) for suppressing the light of the first wavelength in the modified-wavelength light beam (5, 47, 57) are provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses an entangled-photon microscope (1) having a light source (3) and an objective (31). The entangled-photon microscope (1) has a microstructured optical element (11), in which entangled photons can be produced, between the light source (3) and the objective (31), the entangled photons propagating in a beam (15) inside and outside the microstructured optical element.

Abstract: The invention discloses an illuminating device (1) having a laser (3) that emits a light beam (7), which is directed onto a microstructured optical element (13) that spectrally broadens the light from the laser. The laser (3) and the microstructured optical element (13) are arranged within the casing.

Abstract: A method for illuminating an object (79) is disclosed, which is characterized by the steps of injecting (1) the light beam (13) from a laser (9) into a microstructured optical element (19), which spectrally broadens the light of the light beam (13), shaping (3) the spectrally broadened light (31) to form an illumination light beam (29), and directing (5) the illumination light beam (29) onto the object (79). An instrument (7) for illuminating an object (79) is furthermore disclosed, which comprises a laser (9) that emits a light beam (13), which is directed onto a microstructured optical element (19) that spectrally broadens the light from the laser. A optical means (33) which shapes the spectrally broadened light (31) to form an illumination light beam (29) is arranged downstream of the microstructured optical element (19).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for combining light from at least two laser light sources, preferably in the context of confocal scanning microscopy, and in order to make laser light sources of low output power usable as light sources, in particular for confocal scanning microscopy, is characterized in that the light from the laser light sources has at least approximately the same wavelength; and that at least one beam combining unit that combines the light beams in at least largely lossless fashion is provided.