Abstract: The scanning microscope comprises an illumination beam path (41), microscope optics (37) and at least one light source (17, 21, 61, 67), which generates an excitation light beam (19, 63) of a first wavelength and an emission light beam (23, 69) of a second wavelength. The first focal region and the second focal region overlap partially. The optical properties of the components arranged in the illumination beam path (41) are matched to one another such that optical aberrations are corrected in such a way that the focal regions remain static relative to one another irrespective of the scanning movement.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a light source for illumination in scanning microscopy, and a scanning microscope. The light source and the scanning microscope contain an electromagnetic energy source that emits light of one wavelength, and a means 5 for spatially dividing the light into at least two partial light beams. An intermediate element for wavelength modification is provided in at least one partial light beam.

Abstract: An optical arrangement having a light source, preferably a laser, for generating a light beam (1); at least one acoustooptical deflection device (3) for the light beam (1); and a correction device for correcting beam aberrations produced by the deflection device (3) is configured, in the interest of flexible and reliable correction of aberrations occurring because of the deflection, in such a way that the correction device comprises an adaptive optical system (2). Also described is a method for the deflection of light beams (1) with a light source, preferably a laser, for generating a light beam (1); at least one acoustooptical deflection device (3) for the light beam (1); and a correction device for correcting beam aberrations produced by the deflection device (3), in which an adaptive optical system (2) is used as the correction device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical arrangement for illuminating objects (1), in particular fluorescent objects, preferably in conjunction with a confocal or a double-confocal scanning microscope, having an illuminating beam path (2) of a light source (3), a detection beam path (4) of a detector (5), and a component (6) which unifies the detection beam path (4). For the purpose of at least largely loss-free union of the light coming from the object (1) into a propagation direction (19), the optical arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that with reference to the beam cross section active for the detector, light of the fist and second partial detection beam can be united at least largely in an overlapping fashion into one propagation direction (19) at the component (6) thereby providing an unified the detection beam path (4).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical arrangement for the illumination of specimens (1) for confocal scanning microscopes, having an illuminating beam path (2) and at least one light source (4), and is intended to make possible an efficient illumination of specimens in a confocal scanning microscope while decoupling mechanical vibrations from the confocal scanning microscope, the optical arrangement being intended to be economical and low-maintenance. The optical arrangement according to the present invention is characterized in that the light of the light source (3) is coupled into a fiber (4) in which laser transitions can be induced; and that at least the laser light induced in the fiber (4) serves for specimen illumination.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for generating a three-dimensional object from a three-dimensional object model, the object model being scanned with a light beam of a light source and the light returning from the object model being detected. The object model is to be scannable with increased resolution and accuracy so that an object can be generated from the object model in a manner largely faithful to the model. The method according to the present invention is characterized in that the scanning optical system operates confocally.

Abstract: An optical arrangement, in particular a microscope, having a light source (1) for illuminating an object, and a glass fiber (3), arranged between the light source (1) and the object, for transporting light along a prescribable distance between the light source (1) and the object, is configured with regard to the avoidance of fluctuations in the illuminating light power without a handicap in the optical adjustment of the arrangement in such a way that the glass fiber (3) is a polarizing glass fiber (3).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for the detection of fluorescent light in scanning microscopy, in particular in confocal scanning microscopy, fluorescing materials being excited to fluoresce by means of multi-photon excitation; and for optimization of specimen detection is characterized in that for optimum fluorescent photon yield, the operating parameters of the light source (2) causing multi-photon excitation, and/or the system parameters of the confocal scanning microscope, are adapted to the properties of the fluorescing material.

Abstract: A method for examining a specimen (11) by means of a confocal scanning microscope having at least one light source (1), preferably a laser, to generate an illuminating light beam (4) for the specimen (11), and a beam deflection device (9) to guide the illuminating light beam (4) over the specimen (11) comprises, in the interest of reliable definition of details or regions of interest of the specimen (11), the following method steps: Firstly a preview image is acquired. Then at least one region of interest in the preview image is marked. This is followed by allocation of individual illuminating light beam wavelengths and/or illuminating light beam power levels to the region or regions. Illumination of the region or regions of the specimen (11) in accordance with the allocation is then accomplished. Lastly, the reflected and/or fluorescent light proceeding from the specimen (11) is detected.

Abstract: A scanning microscope, in particular a confocal scanning microscope, with a light source (1), preferably a laser, for generating an illumination light beam (14) for a sample (11) and a scanning device for deflecting the illumination light beam (14) is, with a view to fast and reliable image-data acquisition and a compact structure, configured and refined in such a way that the scanning device has at least one micromirror (16). An optical arrangement with a light source (1), preferably a laser, for generating a light beam and at least one micromirror (16) for deflecting the light beam is furthermore provided, in which an adaptive lens (22) is provided for correcting for mirror defects or deformation of the mirror surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and to a method for the excitation of fluorescent markers in multiphoton scanning microscopy, having at least one illumination beam path, a light source that produces the illumination light and at least one detection beam path for a detector, the objects to be studied being labelled with fluorescent markers. So as to avoid making it necessary to increase the illumination power of the light source in order to achieve an increase in the fluorescence photon yield, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are characterized in that at least one means that influences the spectral distribution/composition of the illumination light is provided for variably influencing the illumination light that excites the fluorescent markers, in particular during the illumination process.

Abstract: A scanning microscope (100) possesses at least one illumination source (4), an objective (10), and at least one detector (12). An optical circulator (14) is arranged between the at least one illumination source (4), the objective (10), and the at least one detector (12). In a further embodiment, the scanning microscope (100) is configured as a confocal scanning microscope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and to a method for examining and manipulating microscopic objects (1), with a microscope (2), a light source (3, 4) used to illuminate the object (1), an illumination beam path (5), a detector (6) used to detect the light returning from the object (1), a detection beam path (7), a light source (8) used for the object manipulation and a manipulation light beam path (9). The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are intended to permit three-dimensional examination and manipulation of objects (1) whose dimension along the optical axis is greater than the depth of focus of the microscope objective used, with the additional intention that object manipulation should be possible at all sites of the three-dimensional object (1).

Abstract: An optical arrangement, in particular a laser scanning microscope, having a light source, in particular a laser light source, and an interruption device (1) for a light beam (2) of the light source, is configured, in the interest of reliable operation, in such a way that means (3) for monitoring the functioning of the interruption device (1) are associated with the interruption device (1). The invention additionally concerns a shutter (5) for a light beam (2) of a light source, in particular a laser light source, which, again in the interest of reliable operation of an optical arrangement, is characterized by at least two movable components (6, 7) which are configured and arranged such that the mechanical momentum generated by a moving component (6) or by several moving components is compensated for by the motion of the other component (7) or components.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for illuminating a specimen (1), preferably in confocal fluorescence scanning microscopy, having one illumination beam path (2) of one light source (3) and at least one further illumination beam path (4) of a further light source (5), the illumination beam paths (2, 4) being at least partially superimposable on one another, and in order to simplify alignment and reduce the optical components in the illumination beam path, is characterized in that at least one optical component (7) is arranged at least in one of the illumination beam paths (2, 4) and modifies the light; and that the optical properties of the component (7) can be influenced or modified in such a way that the illumination pattern of the illumination beam path (2, 4) in the specimen region changes shape.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a double confocal scanning microscope (1) having an illuminating beam path (2) of at least one light source (3), and a detected beam path (4) of at least one detector (5), and in order to achieve almost the theoretically possible resolution capability, in particular in the context of multi-color fluorescence applications, is characterized in that the optical properties in particular of the components (6, 10, 13, 14) arranged in the beam path are coordinated with one another in such a way that the accumulated aberrations, with respect to the optical axis (33) and/or at least one surface (18, 19, 20) in the specimen region, are at least of the order of magnitude of the theoretically achievable resolution capability.

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: There is provided a compound of formula I, wherein R1, R2, R9, R10, R11, R12, X, A and B have meanings given in the description, which are useful in the prophylaxis and in the treatment of arrhythmias, in particular atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Abstract: There is provided compounds of formula I, R1O(O)C—CH2—(R)Cgl—Aze—Pab—R  I wherein R1 and R2 have meanings given in the description, which are useful as prodrugs of inhibitors of trypsin-like proteases, such as thrombin, and in particular in the treatment of conditions where inhibition of thrombin is required (eg thrombosis) or as anticoagulants.

Abstract: A solid state laser comprises a laser element formed from crystalline, ceramic, glass ceramic, glass, or plastic material in the configuration of a rod or slab. The cooling capabilities of the rods or slabs are improved by the provision of internal bores or slots through which a coolant can flow, and/or by the provision of a modified cross-sectional profile whereby the cooling surface is increased and the distance between the interior regions of the rod or slab and the cooling surface is reduced. Alternatively, the cooling capacity of the laser system is improved by providing a rotating arrangement of laser material wherein only specific portions of the laser materials are subjected to pumping while other portions are cooling.