Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a microlens array having a plurality of microlenses for splitting a ray bundle of illumination light into a plurality of convergent partial ray bundles which illuminate a sample simultaneously at several measuring points; a beam splitter for separating a beam path of the illuminating light and a beam path of sample light originating from the illumination of the sample and captured in an inverse direction with regard to the illumination light; a pinhole diaphragm array having a plurality of pinhole diaphragms arranged in the beam path of the sample light and corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light; and a further microlens array having a plurality of microlenses corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light. Said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light and said microlenses of said further microlens array are arranged in the beam path of the sample light.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a microlens array having a plurality of microlenses for splitting a ray bundle of illumination light into a plurality of convergent partial ray bundles which illuminate a sample simultaneously at several measuring points; a beam splitter for separating a beam path of the illuminating light and a beam path of sample light originating from the illumination of the sample and captured in an inverse direction with regard to the illumination light; a pinhole diaphragm array having a plurality of pinhole diaphragms arranged in the beam path of the sample light and corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light; and a further microlens array having a plurality of microlenses corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light. Said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light and said microlenses of said further microlens array are arranged in the beam path of the sample light.

Abstract: An optical apparatus, especially a scanning microscope (1), wherein an expanded laser beam (2) is divided into several partial beams (4) by micro lenses (5) arranged next to one another. Each partial beam (4) is focused onto a focal point (11) by a common objective lens (7) to optically excite a sample (8). Fluorescent light emanating from the individual focal points (11) of the sample (8) is registered by a photo sensor (13) arranged behind the objective lens (7) as seen from the sample (8). Each photon of the fluorescent light coming from the sample (8) and being registered by the photo sensor (13) is excited by at least two photons of the laser beam (2).

Abstract: A fixed bed layer of a reactor column for the execution of anaerobic decosition processes, which column is divided by screen partitions into segments one above another with intermediate spaces for gas discharge from the column through discharge funnels into one or more corresponding, ascending pipes. Additional devices for the introduction of liquid or gas into the individual fixed bed segments produce turbulence and remove excess sludge from the fixed bed layer. Annular guide elements project from the inner wall of the column underneath the funnel and have a constricted cross section which defines an annular channel to the next column segment. Thus, a liquid stream is not blocked during optimal gas collection in the funnel. The funnels are preferably installed in the screen floor of the subsequent column segment.