Patents by Inventor Ralf Netz

Ralf Netz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10048481
    Abstract: A method for operating a scanning microscope and for determining point spread functions, with which sample images are recorded with the scanning microscope. The method includes scanning a sample with at least one illuminating light beam; recording at least one sample image with a detector device during a scan by the illuminating light beam; and comprising the point spread function, with which a sample image is recorded, from the at least one sample image. A detector device having receiving elements is used, where the distance between the receiving elements is smaller than a diffraction disk that generates a sample point on the detector device. Detector signals, generated by means of the receiving elements, are read out for each of the different positions of the illuminating light beam on the sample, as a result of which the scanning of the sample allows the detector signals, which are read out, to generate a plurality of sample images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kleppe, Yauheni Novikau, Ralf Netz, Michael Kieweg, Christoph Nieten
  • Publication number: 20180196245
    Abstract: The invention relates to the high-resolution spectrally selective scanning microscopy of a sample. The sample is excited with illumination radiation in order to emit fluorescence radiation such that the illumination radiation is bundled into an illumination spot in or on the sample. The illumination spot is diffraction-limited in at least one spatial direction and has a minimum extension in said spatial direction. Fluorescence radiation emitted from the illumination spot is imaged into a diffraction image lying on an image plane in a diffraction-limited manner and is detected with a spatial resolution which resolves a structure of a diffraction image of the fluorescence radiation emitted from the illumination spot. The illumination spot is moved into different scanning positions relative to the sample in increments which are smaller than half the minimum extension of the illumination spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Ingo KLEPPE, Ralf WOLLESCHENSKY, Ralf NETZ, Yauheni NOVIKAU
  • Patent number: 9989746
    Abstract: An optical microscope having a sample plane for positioning a sample, and a light source for emitting illumination light, includes optical imaging means for guiding the illumination light into the sample plane. A detector device having a plurality of detector elements for detecting sample light coming from the sample. Adjacent detector elements are at a distance from one another which is smaller than an Airy-Disk produced by a point of the sample plane on the detector device. A scanning device has at least a first and a second optical arrangement simultaneously movable in a common direction for producing an illumination scanning movement and a detection scanning movement, which are opposite to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bathe, Ralf Netz
  • Patent number: 9864182
    Abstract: A microscope and method for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, having: an illumination device for the purpose of illuminating the sample, an imaging device for the purpose of scanning at least one point or linear spot across the sample and of imaging the point or linear spot into a diffraction-limited, static single image below a reproduction scale in a detection plane. A detector device for detecting the single image in the detection plane for various scan positions is also provided. An evaluation device for the purpose of evaluating a diffraction structure of the single image for the scan positions is provided. The detector device has a detector array which has pixels and which is larger than the single image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Wolleschensky, Yauheni Novikau
  • Patent number: 9791686
    Abstract: In a microscope for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, said microscope comprising—an illumination device for illuminating the sample, —an imaging device for scanning at least one point spot or line spot across the sample and for imaging the point spot or line spot into a diffraction-limited, stationary single image with magnification into a detection plane, —a detector device for detecting the single image in the detection plane for different scanning positions with a spatial resolution, which, taking into consideration the magnification, is at least twice as high as a full width at half maximum of the diffraction-limited single image, —an evaluation device for evaluating a diffraction pattern of the single image for the scanning positions from data of the detector device and for generating an image of the sample, said image having a resolution that is increased beyond the diffraction limit, provision is made for—the detector device to have a detector array, which has pixels and is larger than t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Wolleschensky, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Christoph Nieten
  • Publication number: 20170227749
    Abstract: A microscopy high-resolution scanning method, including exciting a sample with illumination radiation focused at a point to form a diffraction-limited illumination spot so as to emit fluorescence radiation. The point is imaged in a diffraction image on a spatially resolving two-dimensional detector. The sample is scanned at scanning positions with increments that are smaller than half the diameter of the spot. An image of the sample with a resolution increased beyond a resolution limit of the image is generated from the data of the two-dimensional detector and the scanning positions. To discriminate between at least two predetermined wavelength ranges in the fluorescence radiation of the sample, Airy disks corresponding to the wavelength ranges are generated on the two-dimensional detector, the Airy disks being offset laterally from one another such that the diffraction image consists of the mutually offset Airy disks. The Airy disks are evaluated when generating the sample image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Ingo KLEPPE, Ralf NETZ, Yauheni NOVIKAU
  • Publication number: 20170192216
    Abstract: An optical microscope having a sample plane for positioning a sample, and a light source for emitting illumination light, includes optical imaging means for guiding the illumination light into the sample plane. A detector device having a plurality of detector elements for detecting sample light coming from the sample. Adjacent detector elements are at a distance from one another which is smaller than an Airy-Disk produced by a point of the sample plane on the detector device. A scanning device has at least a first and a second optical arrangement simultaneously movable in a common direction for producing an illumination scanning movement and a detection scanning movement, which are opposite to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Wolfgang BATHE, Ralf Netz
  • Publication number: 20170184834
    Abstract: In a microscope for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, said microscope comprising—an illumination device for illuminating the sample, —an imaging device for scanning at least one point spot or line spot across the sample and for imaging the point spot or line spot into a diffraction-limited, stationary single image with magnification into a detection plane, —a detector device for detecting the single image in the detection plane for different scanning positions with a spatial resolution, which, taking into consideration the magnification, is at least twice as high as a full width at half maximum of the diffraction-limited single image, —an evaluation device for evaluating a diffraction pattern of the single image for the scanning positions from data of the detector device and for generating an image of the sample, said image having a resolution that is increased beyond the diffraction limit, provision is made for—the detector device to have a detector array, which has pixels and is larger than t
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Ralf WOLLESCHENSKY, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Christoph Nieten
  • Patent number: 9671600
    Abstract: A light microscope having a sample plane for positioning a sample, and a light source for emitting illumination light, includes optical imaging means for guiding the illumination light into the sample plane. A detector device having a plurality of detector elements for detecting sample light coming from the sample. Adjacent detector elements are at a distance from one another which is smaller than an Airy-Disk produced by a point of the sample plane on the detector device. A scanning device has at least a first and a second optical arrangement simultaneously movable in a common direction for producing an illumination scanning movement and a detection scanning movement, which are opposite to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bathe, Ralf Netz
  • Patent number: 9671603
    Abstract: An optical arrangement for positioning in a beam path of a light microscope, has an optical carrier, on which a first set of optical assemblies for generating structured illumination light of different orientations is arranged. The optical arrangement includes an adjustable deflection device provided for selectably deflecting a light beam to one of the optical assemblies and for deflecting one light beam coming from said optical assembly into the direction of a sample that is to be examined. The invention further relates to a light microscope having an optical arrangement according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Netz, Ingo Kleppe
  • Patent number: 9645375
    Abstract: A light microscope having a specimen plane, in which a specimen to be examined is positioned, having a light source to emit illuminating light, having optical imaging means to convey the illuminating light into the specimen plane, having a first scanning means, with which an optical path of the illuminating light and the specimen can be moved relative to each other to produce an illumination scanning movement of the illuminating light relative to the specimen, having a detector means to detect specimen light coming from the specimen and having electronic means to produce an image of the specimen based on the specimen light detected by the detector means at different specimen regions. A second scanning means is present, with which it can be adjusted which specimen region can be imaged on a determined detector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kleppe, Christoph Nieten, Yauheni Novikau, Ralf Netz
  • Patent number: 9632296
    Abstract: In a microscope for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, said microscope comprising—an illumination device for illuminating the sample, —an imaging device for scanning at least one point spot or line spot across the sample and for imaging the point spot or line spot into a diffraction-limited, stationary single image with magnification into a detection plane, —a detector device for detecting the single image in the detection plane for different scanning positions with a spatial resolution, which, taking into consideration the magnification, is at least twice as high as a full width at half maximum of the diffraction-limited single image, —an evaluation device for evaluating a diffraction pattern of the single image for the scanning positions from data of the detector device and for generating an image of the sample, said image having a resolution that is increased beyond the diffraction limit, provision is made for—the detector device to have a detector array, which has pixels and is larger than t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Wolleschensky, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Christoph Nieten
  • Patent number: 9507137
    Abstract: A microscope and a method of microscopy use structured illumination, involving imaging a grid structure or periodic light distribution on a sample. By displacing the image of the grid structure, imaging is carried out under different phase positions, and a high-resolution sample image is calculated from the recorded images. The grid structure or light distribution is generated by using at least two phase grids arranged one in front of the other, and different orientations of the light distribution perpendicular to the illumination direction are generated by displacing the phase grids relative to one another, with displacement, imaging and calculation being carried out for different orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz
  • Patent number: 9470883
    Abstract: A microscope for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, having: an illumination device for the purpose of illuminating the sample, an imaging device for the purpose of scanning at least one point or linear spot over the sample and of imaging the point or linear spot into a diffraction-limited, static single image below am imaging scale in a detection plane. A detector device for detecting the single image in the detection plane for various scan positions, with a spatial resolution which, taking into account the imaging scale in at least one dimension/measurement, is at least twice as high as a full width at half maximum of the diffraction-limited single image. The amplitude and/or phase of a wavefront influenced by the sample is detected with spatial resolution by means for wavefront detection, and wherein the influence of the sample on the phase is determined by means of a wavefront sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ingo Kleppe, Helmut Lippert, Ralf Netz
  • Publication number: 20160267658
    Abstract: A method for operating a scanning microscope and for determining point spread functions, with which sample images are recorded with the scanning microscope. The method includes scanning a sample with at least one illuminating light beam; recording at least one sample image with a detector device during a scan by the illuminating light beam; and comprising the point spread function, with which a sample image is recorded, from the at least one sample image. A detector device having receiving elements is used, where the distance between the receiving elements is smaller than a diffraction disk that generates a sample point on the detector device. Detector signals, generated by means of the receiving elements, are read out for each of the different positions of the illuminating light beam on the sample, as a result of which the scanning of the sample allows the detector signals, which are read out, to generate a plurality of sample images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GMBH
    Inventors: Ingo KLEPPE, Yauheni NOVIKAU, Ralf NETZ, Michael KIEWEG, Christoph NIETEN
  • Patent number: 9404867
    Abstract: A luminescence microscopy method includes a sample being used, which comprises a certain substance, wherein the certain substance can be converted repeatedly from a first state, in which it can be excited into emitting luminescence radiation, into a second state, in which it cannot be excited into emitting luminescence radiation. The substance present in the sample can be brought into the first state by irradiating switch radiation. The certain substance can be excited into emitting luminescence radiation by irradiating excitation radiation. The sample emitting luminescence radiation can be displayed. A high-resolution selection of sample regions extending perpendicularly to a sample surface is carried out by irradiating either the switch radiation or the excitation radiation as structured illumination of the sample. A high-resolution selection of the sample surface is carried out by irradiating the switch radiation and/or the excitation radiation as TIRF illumination of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kempe, Ralf Netz, Gerhard Krampert
  • Publication number: 20160131883
    Abstract: A microscope and method for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, having an illumination device, an imaging device for the purpose of scanning at least one point or linear spot across the sample and of imaging the point or linear spot into a diffraction-limited, static single image below a reproduction scale in a detection plane. A detector device is used for detecting the single image in the detection plane for various scan positions, with a location accuracy which, taking into account the reproduction scale in at least one dimension/measurement, is at least twice as high as a full width at half maximum of the diffraction-limited single image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Ingo KLEPPE, Yauheni Novikau, Christoph Nieten, Ralf Netz
  • Patent number: 9304307
    Abstract: A light scanning microscope with an illumination module generates several illumination beams and moves them, in each case as a spot, in a predefined region of a sample to excite sample radiation. A detector module for confocal detection of the sample radiation excited by each spot includes a first detector, an imaging lens system, having an optical axis, for imaging the predefined region along an imaging beam path running from the sample as far as the first detector, and a rotatable diaphragm with several pinholes located in a pinhole plane. The diaphragm, upon rotation, may be located at least partially in the imaging beam path for confocal detection. A second detector may be arranged outside of the imaging beam path. A first beam splitter may be arranged in the imaging beam path between the sample and the diaphragm. The beam splitter deflects sample radiation onto the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Wibke Hellmich, Gerhard Krampert, Matthias Langhorst, Ralf Netz
  • Publication number: 20150378141
    Abstract: A light microscope having a sample plane for positioning a sample, and a light source for emitting illumination light, includes optical imaging means for guiding the illumination light into the sample plane. A detector device having a plurality of detector elements for detecting sample light coming from the sample. Adjacent detector elements are at a distance from one another which is smaller than an Airy-Disk produced by a point of the sample plane on the detector device. A scanning device has at least a first and a second optical arrangement simultaneously movable in a common direction for producing an illumination scanning movement and a detection scanning movement, which are opposite to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang BATHE, Ralf NETZ
  • Publication number: 20150301325
    Abstract: An optical arrangement for positioning in a beam path of a light microscope, has an optical carrier, on which a first set of optical assemblies for generating structured illumination light of different orientations is arranged. The optical arrangement includes an adjustable deflection device provided for selectably deflecting a light beam to one of the optical assemblies and for deflecting one light beam coming from said optical assembly into the direction of a sample that is to be examined. The invention further relates to a light microscope having an optical arrangement according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Dr. Thomas KALKBRENNER, Ralf NETZ, Ingo KLEPPE