Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly that can be interposed into the observation beam path of a microscope, comprising a first mount. In the first mount, a stack of optical elements for a polarization optical, differential interference contrast method, is arranged to facilitate a first observation method. The stack comprises, inter alia, a polarizer, polarization-optical shearing elements, and an analyzer. The analyzer is arranged in the stack with regard to its polarization direction in a predetermined orientation relative to the polarization direction of the polarizer. The stack of optical elements in the first mount is arranged such as to be interchangeable. Further, the assembly comprises at least one additional mount for receiving optical elements for at least one additional observation method.

Abstract: A device for increasing the depth discrimination of optical imaging systems includes elements for structuring illumination light in an illumination beam of the optical imaging system by application of a grating-like pattern in a conjugate object plane of the optical imaging system. The device further elements for varying the position of the grating-like patterns along an optical axis of the illuminating beam, and elements that vary the position of an image of the grating-like pattern on a specimen in an object plane. The invention may include a grating changer connected to an electronic control system or to a control program of the optical imaging system for automatically changing the grating-like pattern to at least one further grating-like pattern and/or for removing the grating like pattern from the illuminating beam path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a light microscope, which comprises at least the following components: a modulator diaphragm for restricting a light cross-section, a sample plane, which is located in a beam path behind the modulator diaphragm and in which a sample can be positioned, a phase ring, which is arranged in the beam path behind the sample plane and along the cross-section of which incident light can be differently influenced, and a pupil camera for capturing a pupil image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly that can be interposed into the observation beam path of a microscope, comprising a first mount. In the first mount, a stack of optical elements for a polarization optical, differential interference contrast method, is arranged to facilitate a first observation method. The stack comprises, inter alia, a polarizer, polarization-optical shearing elements, and an analyzer. The analyzer is arranged in the stack with regard to its polarization direction in a predetermined orientation relative to the polarization direction of the polarizer. The stack of optical elements in the first mount is arranged such as to be interchangeable. Further, the assembly comprises at least one additional mount for receiving optical elements for at least one additional observation method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for increasing the depth discrimination of optical imaging systems. Such a device comprises means for structuring illumination light in an illumination beam of the optical imaging system by means of a grating-like pattern in a conjugated object plane of the optical imaging system. The device further comprises means for varying the position of the grating-like patterns along an optical axis of the illuminating beam, and means for varying the position of an image of the grating-like pattern on a specimen in an object plane. Such a device is characterized by a grating changer connected to an electronic control system or to a control program of the optical imaging system for automatically changing the grating-like pattern to at least one further grating-like pattern and/or for removing the grating-like pattern from the illuminating beam path.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for imaging structures either in the focal plane of the objective of a microscope or in the pupil of the objective or in the respective conjugate planes. For this purpose, the optical data of the imaging systems and the illumination wavelengths or fluorescence wavelengths are taken into account when determining the optimal position of the structures.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for regulating the temperature of the sample space of a microscope, preferably for observing cells (live cell imaging) with an objective turret carrying objectives, a sample holder serving to receive a sample, a heating or cooling insert with an incubator hood for managing the temperature of the sample holder, and an objective heating element or objective cooling element. According to the invention, at least one structural component part which blocks the heating flow or cooling flow is provided between the objective heating element or objective cooling element and the objective turret.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for improving the depth discrimination in optically imaging systems. It is applicable in particular in light microscopy for improving image quality when examining three-dimensionally extending objects. It is applicable in the method of structured illumination as described in WO 97/6509. For this purpose, influences due to variations in the brightness of the light source, positioning of the imaged periodic structure and bleaching of the object in fluorescence illumination are determined and taken into account in the calculation of the object structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for regulating the temperature of the sample space of a microscope, preferably for observing cells (live cell imaging) with an objective turret carrying objectives, a sample holder serving to receive a sample, a heating or cooling insert with an incubator hood for managing the temperature of the sample holder, and an objective heating element or objective cooling element. According to the invention, at least one structural component part which blocks the heating flow or cooling flow is provided between the objective heating element or objective cooling element and the objective turret.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for imaging structures either in the focal plane of the objective of a microscope or in the pupil of the objective or in the respective conjugate planes. For this purpose, the optical data of the imaging systems and the illumination wavelengths or fluorescence wavelengths are taken into account when determining the optimal position of the structures.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for improving the depth discrimination in optically imaging systems. It is applicable in particular in light microscopy for improving image quality when examining three-dimensionally extending objects. It is applicable in the method of structured illumination as described in WO 97/6509. For this purpose, influences due to variations in the brightness of the light source, positioning of the imaged periodic structure and bleaching of the object in fluorescence illumination are determined and taken into account in the calculation of the object structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel test preparation for microscopes, particularly fluorescence microscopes, which is characterized in that spectral excitation can be carried out in a freely selectable wavelength range of visible light.