Abstract: An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

Abstract: A microscope including an objective having a focal plane in a sample space, and an autofocus device comprising a light modulator for generating a luminous modulation object that is intensity-modulated periodically along one direction, an autofocus illumination optical unit that images the modulation object such that its image arises in the sample space, an autofocus camera, an autofocus imaging optical unit that images the image of the modulation object in the sample space onto the autofocus camera, a control device, which receives signals of the autofocus camera and determines an intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object and generates a focus control signal therefrom. The control device determines an intensity distribution of the image of a luminous comparison object imaged by the optical unit to correct the intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object with regard to reflectivity variations in the sample space.

Abstract: Non-invasive optical measurement of glucose and other dissolved substances in human or animal intraocular fluid. A method takes advantage of the fact that the wave dependence of optical activity is fundamentally different from corneal birefringence. The optical activity of substances dissolved in the intraocular fluid, such as glucose, lactate, ascorbic acid or amino acids, is scaled as a first approximation with the reciprocal value of the wavelength square. In contrast, corneal birefringence is scaled with the reciprocal value of the wavelength and therefore behaves considerably different from the optical activity. For the method according to the invention, a physical model is used, which describes the influence on the polarization of measurement radiation by the components of the eye, particularly by the intraocular fluid and the cornea.

Abstract: A microscope including an imaging optical unit, a sample stage for supporting a sample to be examined, a movement unit, by which the distance between sample stage and imaging optical unit can be altered, a focus measuring unit, which measures the present focus position and outputs a focus measurement signal, a control unit for maintaining a predetermined focus position for examinations of the sample that are separated from one another in time. The control unit receives the focus measurement signal and derives a deviation of the present focus position from the predetermined focus position. Dependent on the deviation derived the movement unit, changes the distance between sample stage and imaging optical unit so that the predetermined focus position is maintained. The control unit drives the movement unit (9) for maintaining the predetermined focus position only before and/or after at least one of the examinations, but never during the examinations.

Abstract: An optical device for measuring luminescence includes a pulse generator for generating a periodic modulation signal having rectangular pulses, a pulse duration of the pulse being variably adjustable, an illumination device and/or means for illuminating an object under investigation with excitation radiation modulated in a pulse-like manner depending on the modulation signal, and a time-of-flight camera for phase-sensitive detection of a luminescence response emitted by the object under investigation in response to the excitation radiation. The modulation signal is supplied as reference signal to the time-of-flight camera.

Abstract: Non-invasive optical measurement of glucose and other dissolved substances in human or animal intraocular fluid. A method takes advantage of the fact that the wave dependence of optical activity is fundamentally different from corneal birefringence. The optical activity of substances dissolved in the intraocular fluid, such as glucose, lactate, ascorbic acid or amino acids, is scaled as a first approximation with the reciprocal value of the wavelength square. In contrast, corneal birefringence is scaled with the reciprocal value of the wavelength and therefore behaves considerably different from the optical activity. For the method according to the invention, a physical model is used, which describes the influence on the polarization of measurement radiation by the components of the eye, particularly by the intraocular fluid and the cornea.

Abstract: An appliance for recording an image of an ocular fundus includes an irradiating device with a radiation source and optical components for generating an illumination strip. A scanning device is set up to cause a scanning movement of the illumination strip for the purpose of scanning the ocular fundus. An optoelectronic sensor senses detection light issuing from the ocular fundus. The optoelectronic sensor has a plurality of sensor rows and is set up such that charges contained in one sensor row are each shifted, with a time delay, into a further sensor row. A control means is connected to the scanning device and/or to the optoelectronic sensor and is set up to control the scanning movement and/or the time delay.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly for spectral filtration of light, having a plurality of filters which are permeable to light of different spectral ranges, a filter selection mirror which can be moved for selectable deflection of light to different optical paths to the different filters, and an output mirror which can be moved to guide light coming from one of the filters to an optical path which is the same for all the filters. The optical assembly is characterized according to the invention in that in each case at least one stationary deflection optical system is provided for each of the optical paths to the different filters to guide light from the filter selection mirror to the respective filter and/or light from the respective filter to the output mirror, and the stationary deflection optical systems are arranged so that optical path lengths on the different optical paths from the filter selection mirror to the output mirror are equal.

Abstract: An autofocus method for a microscope with an objective which images a sample lying in an object plane, including the steps: projecting a longitudinally extended grating slit which lies in a grating slit plane onto the sample, and imaging the projection of the grating slit onto an autofocus camera; determining an intensity distribution of the grating slit image and from this, deducing a preset for a relative adjustment of sample and object plane; projecting a likewise longitudinally extended comparison slit onto the sample, and imaging the projection of the comparison slit onto the autofocus camera; evaluating the width of the comparison slit image at right angles to the longitudinal extension at at least two sites which are spaced apart along the longitudinal extension, and determining a width variation of the comparison slit image, a gradient of the width variation and a direction of the relative adjustment.

Abstract: Non-invasive optical measurement of glucose and other dissolved substances in human or animal intraocular fluid. A method takes advantage of the fact that the wave dependence of optical activity is fundamentally different from corneal birefringence. The optical activity of substances dissolved in the intraocular fluid, such as glucose, lactate, ascorbic acid or amino acids, is scaled as a first approximation with the reciprocal value of the wavelength square. In contrast, corneal birefringence is scaled with the reciprocal value of the wavelength and therefore behaves considerably different from the optical activity. For the method according to the invention, a physical model is used, which describes the influence on the polarization of measurement radiation by the components of the eye, particularly by the intraocular fluid and the cornea.

Abstract: An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

Abstract: A measuring device and corresponding method for measuring a measurement object, comprising an illumination device for illuminating the measurement object with an illumination pattern, a pattern generation device with at least one pattern generating element for bringing about a positionally variant intensity distribution of the illumination pattern, and an optical sensor arrangement for detecting the illumination pattern reflected and/or scattered by the measurement object. The measuring device has an optics which is telecentric at least on the measurement object side and is arranged in a beam path from the illumination device to the measurement object. The optical sensor arrangement detects the illumination pattern through at least one part of the telecentric optics. The pattern generating device is designed in such a way that the illumination pattern has a positionally and/or spectrally variant vertex focal length distribution on the measurement object side.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for receiving the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera for capturing an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, a diaphragm, and a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. At least two lens-element groups are displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis. An illumination device illuminates the measurement object at a triangulation angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a sensor device detects radiation from the illumination device that is incident on the sensor device through the objective.

Abstract: A microscope including an objective, which images a sample along a microscope beam path, and an autofocus device, which is coupled into the microscope beam path via a beam splitter at a location behind the objective. A light modulator for generating a two-dimensional, intensity-modulated modulation object, is located in the autofocus beam path in a plane conjugated to the focal plane of the objective or intersects the latter and is imaged into the focal plane of the objective. A camera records a two-dimensional image onto which the modulation object's image is imaged. The image plane of the camera intersects a plane that is conjugated to the modulation object or is located in the plane and the camera detecting the contrast of the modulation object's image located in the sample.

Abstract: An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope having a stage for supporting a sample to be examined, a recording sensor, an imaging optic for imaging the sample onto the recording sensor, a moving unit by means of which the distance between the stage and the imaging optic can be changed, a control unit for controlling an image recording of the sample and a focus-holding unit for maintaining a prescribed focal position for image recording of the sample at temporal intervals, wherein the focus-holding device comprises at least one hardware element and one software module, wherein the focus-holding unit is fully integrated in the control unit, on both the hardware and software sides.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for multispectral imaging. A filter arrangement for selecting particular spectral ranges is located in a beam path coming from an object to be imaged, and at least one detection device is provided for receiving the selected spectral ranges.

Abstract: A method for laser beam machining of a workpiece in which a laser beam is focused by an objective, into or onto the workpiece having a boundary surface, to produce a machining effect by a two-photon process, and the position of the focal point with respect to the workpiece is shifted. To obtain a reference for the position of the focal point, an image of a luminating modulation object is projected through the objective onto the workpiece into the focal plane or so as to intersect it. Reflections of the image occurring at the boundary surface are imaged into an autofocus image plane, and are detected by a camera. The camera image plane either intersects the autofocus image plane when the image of the illuminating modulation object lies in the focal plane, or lies in the autofocus image plane when the image of the modulation object intersects the focal plane.

Abstract: A method for producing an image of a layer of an object by a wide field optical element on a resolving detector. The object is illuminated in a focused manner on at least one object plane having at least two binary illuminating patterns. The corresponding images are detected. Light and/or the dark areas of the illuminating patterns completely cover the object when the illuminating pattern is superimposed. A layer image determined from the detected images, includes a partial segment that respectively reproduces a partial area of the object that is arranged inside the light area of one of the used illuminating patterns. Edges are arranged at a distance from the edges of the light area about at least one predefined minimum distance.

Abstract: An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).