Abstract: An apparatus (10) for structured illumination microscopy (SIM) comprises a pulsed femtosecond MiTai laser (11) operable to generate a pulsed beam. The beam pulses are directed on to a specimen (12) via an optical arrangement including a beam steering apparatus comprising a pair of acousto-optic deflectors AODx, AODy, each operable to vary the deflection angle of the beam in response to variation in the frequency of an applied acoustic deflection signal, and an acousto-optic modulator AOM. The frequency of the acoustic deflection signals applied to the AODs and/or the frequency of the acoustic compensation signal applied to the AOM in the present invention is dynamically modulated. This dynamic modulation can increase the effective AODxy scan angle in each direction by about 4 mrads (equivalent to a 15% increase in the area of the field of view). Furthermore, dynamic modulation of the compensation frequency also improves the evenness of the illumination over the field of view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing images captured following structured illumination of a sample, the method comprising the steps of: identifying emission spots within each captured image; verifying the emission spots; and reconstructing an enhanced image of the sample from the emission spots. The method may comprise identifying only in focus emission spots. By identifying and processing only in focus spots, whether or not they are centered on expected illumination positions, improvements in resolution can be achieved compared to known SIM methods. In particular, by suitable selection of in focus spots, significant improvements in lateral and axial resolution can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for structured illumination microscopy (SIM) comprises a pulsed femtosecond MiTai laser (11) operable to generate a pulsed beam. The beam pulses are directed on to a specimen (12) via an optical arrangement including a beam steering apparatus comprising a pair of acousto-optic deflectors AODx, AODy, each operable to vary the deflection angle of the beam in response to variation in the frequency of an applied acoustic deflection signal,and an acousto-optic modulator AOM. The frequency of the acoustic deflection signals applied to the AODs and/or the frequency of the acoustic compensation signal applied to the AOM in the present invention is dynamically modulated. This dynamic modulation can increase the effective AODxy scan angle in each direction by about 4 mrads (equivalent to a 15% increase in the area of the field of view). Furthermore, dynamic modulation of the compensation frequency also improves the evenness of the illumination over the field of view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing images captured following structured illumination of a sample, the method comprising the steps of: identifying emission spots within each captured image; verifying the emission spots; and reconstructing an enhanced image of the sample from the emission spots. The method may comprise identifying only in focus emission spots. By identifying and processing only in focus spots, whether or not they are centred on expected illumination positions, improvements in resolution can be achieved compared to known SIM methods. In particular, by suitable selection of in focus spots, significant improvements in lateral and axial resolution can be achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved optical arrangement for an optical imaging system or the like, comprising: an optical device; a digital micromirror device having a plurality of individually addressable micromirrors; a convex mirror; and a concave mirror concentric to the convex mirror. The convex mirror and the concave mirror define an optical triplet which is located in an optical path with the digital micromirror device and the optical device. The concave mirror comprises two concave mirror sections, one or both concave mirror sections being moveable relative to the convex mirror so as to control an image mapping between the digital micromirror device and the optical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved optical arrangement for an optical imaging system or the like, comprising: an optical device; a digital micromirror device having a plurality of individually addressable micromirrors; a convex mirror; and a concave mirror concentric to the convex mirror. The convex mirror and the concave mirror define an optical triplet which is located in an optical path with the digital micromirror device and the optical device. The concave mirror comprises two concave mirror sections, one or both concave mirror sections being moveable relative to the convex mirror so as to control an image mapping between the digital micromirror device and the optical device.