Abstract: The present invention relates to novel red fluorescent sensors for detecting metal ions, preferably zinc ions, which have a chemical structure corresponding to a compound of general formula I. These sensors are very useful for determining the concentration and distribution of zinc in living cells or tissues, preferably in a laser microscopic assay.

Abstract: A laser scanning reflection or fluorescent microscope is provided with focusing-detecting unit having a laser beam focusing objective, an image detector that detects light reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light emitted by the sample, and a drive that simultaneously displaces the objective and the image detector.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope is provided with a laser beam focusing device, a drive for the focusing device, a laser beam deflector, and a control system that coordinates movement of the focusing device with that of the laser beam deflector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out measurements on at least one region of interest within a sample via a laser scanning microscope having focusing means for focusing a laser beam and having electro-mechano-optic deflector for deflecting the laser beam, the method comprising: providing a scanning trajectory for the at least one region of interest; providing a sequence of measurements and the corresponding scanning trajectories; providing cross-over trajectories between the scanning trajectories of two consecutive measurements; deflecting the laser beam via the electro-mechano-optic means for moving a focus spot of the focused laser beam along a scanning trajectory at an average scanning speed; and deflecting the laser beam via the electro-mechano-optic means for moving the focus spot of the laser beam along a cross-over trajectory at a cross-over speed having a maximum, the maximum of the cross-over speed being higher than the average scanning speed.

Abstract: A laser scanning reflection or fluorescent microscope is provided with focusing-detecting unit having a laser beam focusing objective, an image detector that detects light reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light emitted by the sample, and a drive that simultaneously displaces the objective and the image detector.

Abstract: A focusing system for focusing an electromagnetic beam for three-dimensional random access applications comprises a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in an X-Z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in a Y-Z plane substantially perpendicular to the X-Z plane. The second pair of acousto-optic deflectors is arranged between the acousto-optic deflectors of the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors such that the first and fourth acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors and the second and third acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a focusing system (100) for focusing an electromagnetic beam for three-dimensional random access applications, the system comprising a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10) for focusing an electromagnetic beam in an X-Z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20) for focusing an electromagnetic beam in a Y-Z plane being substantially perpendicular to the X-Z plane, characterised in that the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20) are arranged between the acousto-optic deflectors (12, 12?) of the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10), such that the first and fourth acousto-optic deflectors (12, 12?) of the system belong to the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10) and the second and third acousto-optic deflectors (22, 22?) of the system belong to the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser scanning microscope (10) for scanning a sample, the microscope having focusing means (15) having a focal plane (29) and comprising at least one optical element for focusing a laser beam (13), drive means (18) for displacing the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15), at least one detector means (24?) for detecting light (13?) reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light (13?) emitted by the sample, characterised by the detector means (24?) being connected to the drive means (18) such that the drive means (18) may simultaneously displace the detector means (24?) with the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15). The present invention further relates to a method of performing 3D scanning with the inventive laser scanning microscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out measurements on at least one region of interest within a sample via a laser scanning microscope having focusing means for focusing a laser beam and having electro-mechano-optic deflector for deflecting the laser beam, the method comprising: providing a scanning trajectory for the at least one region of interest; providing a sequence of measurements and the corresponding scanning trajectories; providing cross-over trajectories between the scanning trajectories of two consecutive measurements; deflecting the laser beam via the electro-mechano-optic means for moving a focus spot of the focused laser beam along a scanning trajectory at an average scanning speed; and deflecting the laser beam via the electro-mechano-optic means for moving the focus spot of the laser beam along a cross-over trajectory at a cross-over speed having a maximum, the maximum of the cross-over speed being higher than the average scanning speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser scanning microscope (10) having: focusing means (15) having a focal plane (29) and comprising at least one optical element for focusing a laser beam (13); drive means (18) for displacing the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15) for changing the position of the focal plane (29), and deflecting means (14) for deflecting the laser beam (13). The microscope comprises a control system (32) configured to carry out the steps of: providing a periodical drive signal for the drive means (18); obtaining time dependant displacement data of the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15) in response to the periodical drive signal of the drive means (18); providing a response function (z(t)) using the time dependant displacement data, calculating a drive signal for the deflecting means (14) using the response function (z(t)) to move the focal volume (30) of the laser beam (13) along a given 3D trajectory (48) within a sample to be examined.