Abstract: Techniques for registering a first microscope image with a second microscope image are described. The first microscope image images a sample with a first specific contrast and the second microscope image images the sample with the first specific contrast or a second specific contrast. For the registration, a reference microscope image is used, which images the sample with a non-specific contrast.

Abstract: Phase contrast images are calculated by digitally post-processing microscope images acquired at different angled illumination configurations and defocus values.

Abstract: According to a method for autofocusing on a microscopic sample, measurement light having a local structure is generated. The measurement light is coupled into the microscope beam path, whereby the measurement light is incident on, and reflected by, the sample. The measurement light reflected by the sample is output from the microscope beam path and split among a plurality of component beam paths which pass over optical paths of different lengths to image the reflected measurement light, whereby a plurality of measurement images assigned to different focus positions on the microscope beam path are obtained. At least the measurement image which comes closest to an ideal image of the local structure of the measurement light is selected. Depending on the focus position assigned to the selected measurement image, a focus position to be used on the microscope beam path for the purpose of microscopic imaging of the sample is set.

Abstract: Phase contrast images are calculated by digitally post-processing microscope images acquired at different angled illumination configurations and defocus values.

Abstract: A treatment method and apparatus for surgical correction of defective-eyesight in an eye of a patient, wherein a laser device is controlled by a control device, said laser device separating corneal tissue by irradiation of laser radiation to isolate a volume located within a cornea, wherein the control device controls the laser device to focus the laser radiation, by providing target points located within the cornea, into the cornea, wherein the control device, when providing the target points, allows for focus position errors which lead to a deviation between the predetermined position and the actual position of the target points when focusing the laser radiation, by pre-offsets depending on the positions of the respective target points to compensate for said focus position errors.

Abstract: The difference between a well-focused image and a slightly defocused image contains information about the phase of the object. This paper describes how to retrieve this phase information from images, formed by a noncoherent imaging system. Experiments with white light from an extended source are shown. A theoretical explanation for partially coherent illumination is presented.

Abstract: A method for determining the optimal position of the focal plane for examining a specimen by microscopy can include a) illuminating the specimen with light and recording images at different positions of the focal plane to provide a stack of intensity images, b) calculating a phase image from at least two intensity images, with the calculated phase image being assigned a focal plane position located within a focal plane region whose boundaries are the two most spaced apart positions of the focal plane of the at least two intensity images, c) repeating step b) multiple times with different intensity images such that a stack of phase images is available, d) calculating at least one focus measure value for each phase image, and e) determining the optimal position of the focal plane on the basis of the calculated focus measure values and the focal plane positions assigned to the phase images.

Abstract: Phase contrast images are calculated by digitally post-processing microscope images acquired at different angled illumination configurations and defocus values.

Abstract: A method for generating an overview image of a sample which is arranged in an observation volume of a microscope by means of a sample carrier is proposed, wherein the sample carrier is illuminated by a first illumination, wherein a preliminary overview image is generated using the first illumination and an overview camera of the microscope, wherein an overview image illumination is chosen on the basis of the preliminary overview image, wherein the sample carrier is illuminated by the overview illumination, and wherein the overview image is generated using the overview image illumination and the overview camera.

Abstract: According to a method for autofocusing on a microscopic sample, measurement light having a local structure is generated. The measurement light is coupled into the microscope beam path, whereby the measurement light is incident on, and reflected by, the sample. The measurement light reflected by the sample is output from the microscope beam path and split among a plurality of component beam paths which pass over optical paths of different lengths to image the reflected measurement light, whereby a plurality of measurement images assigned to different focus positions on the microscope beam path are obtained. At least the measurement image which comes closest to an ideal image of the local structure of the measurement light is selected. Depending on the focus position assigned to the selected measurement image, a focus position to be used on the microscope beam path for the purpose of microscopic imaging of the sample is set.

Abstract: A method for generating an overview image of a sample which is arranged in an observation volume of a microscope by means of a sample carrier is proposed, wherein the sample carrier is illuminated by a first illumination, wherein a preliminary overview image is generated using the first illumination and an overview camera of the microscope, wherein an overview image illumination is chosen on the basis of the preliminary overview image, wherein the sample carrier is illuminated by the overview illumination, and wherein the overview image is generated using the overview image illumination and the overview camera.

Abstract: In a method for processing microscope images, at least one microscope image is provided as input image for an image processing algorithm. An output image is created from the input image by means of the image processing algorithm. The creation of the output image comprises adding low-frequency components for representing solidity of image structures of the input image to the input image, wherein the low-frequency components at least depend on high-frequency components of these image structures and wherein high-frequency components are defined by a higher spatial frequency than low-frequency components. A corresponding computer program and microscope system are likewise described.

Abstract: A method for determining the optimal position of the focal plane for examining a specimen by microscopy can include a) illuminating the specimen with light and recording images at different positions of the focal plane to provide a stack of intensity images, b) calculating a phase image from at least two intensity images, with the calculated phase image being assigned a focal plane position located within a focal plane region whose boundaries are the two most spaced apart positions of the focal plane of the at least two intensity images, c) repeating step b) multiple times with different intensity images such that a stack of phase images is available, d) calculating at least one focus measure value for each phase image, and e) determining the optimal position of the focal plane on the basis of the calculated focus measure values and the focal plane positions assigned to the phase images.

Abstract: A method for generating and analyzing an overview contrast image of a specimen carrier and/or of specimens situated on a specimen carrier. A specimen carrier arranged at least partially in the focus of a detection optical unit is illuminated in transmitted light using a two-dimensional, array-like illumination pattern. At least two overview raw images are detected using different illuminations of the specimen carrier, and, according to information to be extracted from the overview contrast image, a combination algorithm is selected by means of which the at least two overview raw images are combined to form the overview contrast image. According to information to be extracted from the overview contrast image, an image evaluation algorithm is selected by means of which the information is extracted.

Abstract: A method for generating an overview image of a sample which is arranged in an observation volume of a microscope by means of a sample carrier is proposed, wherein the sample carrier is illuminated by a first illumination, wherein a preliminary overview image is generated using the first illumination and an overview camera of the microscope, wherein an overview image illumination is chosen on the basis of the preliminary overview image, wherein the sample carrier is illuminated by the overview illumination, and wherein the overview image is generated using the overview image illumination and the overview camera.

Abstract: An immersion objective comprises an objective body in which optical components are accommodated, at least one immersion fluid tank and at least one objective-body coupling connection on the objective body. The immersion fluid tank can be supported in a detachable manner via the objective-body coupling connection. At least one pump is supported via the objective body, wherein the pump is arranged in order to convey immersion fluid from the immersion fluid tank to an objective front side. A control electronics component is supported via the objective body and is configured to control the at least one pump.

Abstract: An immersion set for retrofitting an immersion objective comprises at least one immersion fluid tank, at least one pump fluidly connected to the immersion fluid tank, and a control electronics unit configured at least to control the pump. A fastening device is configured to realize the load-bearing fastening of the at least one immersion fluid tank, the at least one pump and the control electronics unit on the immersion objective or on a mounting adapter for the immersion objective.

Abstract: A treatment method and apparatus for surgical correction of defective-eyesight in an eye of a patient, wherein a laser device is controlled by a control device, said laser device separating corneal tissue by irradiation of laser radiation to isolate a volume located within a cornea, wherein the control device controls the laser device to focus the laser radiation, by providing target points located within the cornea, into the cornea, wherein the control device, when providing the target points, allows for focus position errors which lead to a deviation between the predetermined position and the actual position of the target points when focusing the laser radiation, by pre-offsets depending on the positions of the respective target points to compensate for said focus position errors.

Abstract: In a method for processing microscope images, at least one microscope image is provided as input image for an image processing algorithm. An output image is created from the input image by means of the image processing algorithm. The creation of the output image comprises adding low-frequency components for representing solidity of image structures of the input image to the input image, wherein the low-frequency components at least depend on high-frequency components of these image structures and wherein high-frequency components are defined by a higher spatial frequency than low-frequency components. A corresponding computer program and microscope system are likewise described.

Abstract: An immersion objective comprises an objective body in which optical components are accommodated, at least one immersion fluid tank and at least one objective-body coupling connection on the objective body. The immersion fluid tank can be supported in a detachable manner via the objective-body coupling connection. At least one pump is supported via the objective body, wherein the pump is arranged in order to convey immersion fluid from the immersion fluid tank to an objective front side. A control electronics component is supported via the objective body and is configured to control the at least one pump.