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).
-
Publication number: 20150253559Abstract: An optical arrangement for being positioned in a beam path of a light microscope, having at least a first and a second optical assembly for providing structured illumination light from incident light. The optical arrangement provides for light to be guided over different beam paths to the various optical assemblies and in the direction of a sample. Electronic control means are provided and designed to illuminate, in each case, a beam path from the different beam paths to different optical assemblies at a point in time, in that at least a first beam combination mirror is provided for guiding light coming from various optical assemblies to a common beam path in the direction of a sample. The first beam combination mirror has reflective areas on which only light from one of the two optical assemblies is incident and has the light-permeable areas of the beam combination mirror in which only light from the other of the optical assemblies is incident.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2013Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Gerhard Krampert, Ralf Netz
-
Publication number: 20150248015Abstract: An optical assembly that is designed for positioning in a beam path of a light microscope having means for providing structured illuminating light in a sample plane of the light microscope, so that structured illuminating light can be generated in different orientations. The optical assembly has an adjustable deflector in order to deflect an incident light bundle onto one of several beam paths in a selectable manner. Beam splitting devices are located in the beam paths in order to split the light bundle of the respective beam paths into partial light bundles, which are spatially separated from each other. Beam guides are provided for each of the partial light bundles, and guide the partial light bundles to a pupil plane. The beam guides are arranged in such a way that the partial light bundles that belong to the same beam path form a light spot pattern in the pupil plane; and that the light spot patterns of different beam paths in the pupil plane are different from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Daniel Schwedt, Tiemo Anhut, Ralf Netz
-
Publication number: 20150185454Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2014Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Thomas KALKBRENNER, Ingo Kleppe, Helmut Lippert, Ralf Netz
-
Publication number: 20150116807Abstract: A microscope, preferably a laser scanning microscope, with at least one illuminating beam, which in a partial area along the cross-section thereof, is phase-modulated with a modulation frequency. A microscope objective is provided for focusing the illumination beam onto a sample. The microscope further has a detection beam path and at least one demodulation means, wherein a pulsed illumination beam is present. In the illumination beam path upstream of the microscope objective, a first polarization beam splitter is provided, which generates at least first and second partial beam paths that have differing, preferably adjustable, optical paths. A combination element, such as a second pole splitter, for rejoining the partial beams is provided. In one partial beam path, a phase element is provided, which has at least two areas having differing phase interferences.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Tiemo Anhut, Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Netz
-
Publication number: 20150085099Abstract: Microscope and method for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, wherein the sample is illuminated; at least one point spot or line spot, which is guided in a scanning manner over the sample, is imaged into a still image; wherein the spot is imaged in a diffraction limited manner into the still image with magnification, and the still image lies still in a plane of detection; the still image is detected for different scan 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 still image, so that a diffraction pattern of the still image is detected; the diffraction pattern of the still image is evaluated for each scan position, and an image of the sample is generated that has a resolution that is increased beyond the diffraction limit, wherein a detector array is provided that has pixels and is larger than the still image; and radiation of the still image from the plane of detectiType: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Ingo KLEPPE, Yauheni Novikau, Ralf Netz, Michael Golles, Gunther Lorenz, Christoph Nieten
-
Publication number: 20150077842Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Ingo KLEPPE, Ralf NETZ, Thomas KALKBRENNER, Ralf WOLLESCHENSKY, Yauheni NOVIKAU
-
Publication number: 20150054937Abstract: The invention relates to a light microscope comprising a polychromatic light source for emitting illumination light in the direction of a sample, focussing means for focussing illumination light onto the sample, wherein the focussing means, for generating a depth resolution, have a longitudinal chromatic aberration, and a detection device, which comprises a two-dimensional array of detector elements, for detecting sample light coming from the sample. According to the invention, the light microscope is characterized in that, for detecting both confocal portions and non-confocal portions of the sample light, a beam path from the sample to the detection device is free of elements for completely masking out non-confocal portions. In addition, the invention relates to a method for image recording using a light microscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbHInventors: Helmut Lippert, Ralf Netz, Tiemo Anhut, Nils Langholz, Matthias Langhorst
-
Publication number: 20150008309Abstract: 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 theType: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Ralf Wolleschensky, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Christoph Nieten
-
Patent number: 8908271Abstract: Laser scanning microscope and its operating method in which at least two first and second light distributions activated independently of each other and that can move in at least one direction illuminate a sample with the help of a beam-combining element, and the light is detected by the sample as it comes in, characterized by the fact that the scanning fields created by the light distributions on the sample are made to overlap mutually such that a reference pattern is created on the sample with one of the light distributions, which is then captured and used to create the overlap with the help of the second light distribution (correction values are determined) and/or a reference pattern arranged in the sample plane or in an intermediate image plane is captured by both scanning fields and used to create the overlap (correction values are determined) and/or structural characteristics of the sample are captured by the two scanning fields as reference pattern and used to create the overlap in which correction valuType: GrantFiled: July 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbHInventors: Michael Goelles, Ralf Netz, Frank Hecht, Joerg-Michael Funk
-
Publication number: 20140291484Abstract: A microscope and a method of microscopy that uses structured illumination, involving imaging a grid structure or periodic light distribution on a sample, wherein 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, characterized in that 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbHInventors: Thomas KALKBRENNER, Ingo KLEPPE, Ralf NETZ
-
Publication number: 20140293037Abstract: An optical microscope includes a first mask that has transmission regions that are separated from one another for the simultaneous generation of a plurality of illumination light beams from illumination light, for example, a first scanning device for generating a scanning motion of the illumination light beams and a sample holder. The optical microscope also includes a second mask with transmission regions separated from one another, which transmission regions are smaller than the transmission regions of the first mask in order to clip the illumination light beams, such that, through the scanning motion of the first scanning device, each of the illumination light beams can be successively passed onto different transmission regions of the second mask, and a second scanning device is provided for generating a scanning motion between the clipped illumination light beams and the sample holder. A method for examining a microscopic sample is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBHInventors: Ingo Kleppe, Yauheni Novikau, Christoph Nieten, Ralf Netz
-
Publication number: 20140146376Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbHInventors: Ingo Kleppe, Christoph Nieten, Yauheni Novikau, Ralf Netz
-
Patent number: 8705172Abstract: Method for enhancing the resolution of a microscope during the detection of an illuminated specimen and a microscope for carrying out the method, wherein in a first position, an illumination pattern is generated on the specimen, the resolution of which is preferably within the range of the attainable optical resolution of the microscope or higher, wherein a relative movement, preferably perpendicular to the direction of illumination, from a first into at least one second position of the illumination pattern on the specimen is generated at least once between the detection and the illumination pattern with a step width smaller than the resolution limit of the microscope and detection and storage of the detection signals take place both in the first and in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbHInventors: Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Yauheni Novikau
-
Publication number: 20130314758Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: Wibke Hellmich, Gerhard Krampert, Matthias Langhorst, Ralf Netz
-
Publication number: 20130307959Abstract: Laser scanning microscope and its operating method in which at least two first and second light distributions activated independently of each other and that can move in at least one direction illuminate a sample with the help of a beam-combining element, and the light is detected by the sample as it comes in, characterized by the fact that the scanning fields created by the light distributions on the sample are made to overlap mutually such that a reference pattern is created on the sample with one of the light distributions, which is then captured and used to create the overlap with the help of the second light distribution (correction values are determined) and/or a reference pattern arranged in the sample plane or in an intermediate image plane is captured by both scanning fields and used to create the overlap (correction values are determined) and/or structural characteristics of the sample are captured by the two scanning fields as reference pattern and used to create the overlap in which correction valuType: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Michael Goelles, Ralf Netz, Frank Hecht, Joerg-Michael Funk
-
Publication number: 20120319007Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROIMAGING GMBHInventors: Michael Kempe, Ralf Netz, Gerhard Krampert
-
Publication number: 20120268749Abstract: Laser scanning microscope and its operating method in which at least two first and second scanning systems activated independently of each other and that can move in at least one direction illuminate a sample with the help of a beam-combining element, and the light is detected by the sample as it comes in, The scanning fields created by the light distributions on the sample mutually overlap to create a reference pattern on the sample with one of the light distributions, which is then captured and used to create the overlap using the second light distribution and/or a reference pattern arranged in the sample plane or in an intermediate image plane is captured by both scanning fields and used to create the overlap and/or structural characteristics of the sample are captured by the two scanning fields as reference pattern and used to create the overlap in which correction values are determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: Michael Goelles, Ralf Netz, Frank Hecht, Joerg-Michael Funk
-
Patent number: 8120771Abstract: By means of an improved configuration method, mathematical transport models can be fitted to correlations determined by means of scanning fluorescence spectroscopy with few errors. With improved methods for carrying out or evaluating a raster image correlation spectroscopy measurement (RICS) measurement, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced and RICS correlations of high statistical quality can be determined within a short period of time. For a raster image correlation spectroscopy measurement, a best value for a sampling value is determined and is specified for a subsequent scanning process on a sample. In order to carry out or evaluate a RICS measurement, sampling values are acquired or a correlation is determined exclusively in a sample region within which a pixel time (?P) changes along a harmonically controlled scan axis (X) by less than, or at most by, a predetermined or predeterminable value.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbHInventors: Stephan Wagner-Conrad, Frank Hecht, Klaus Weisshart, Ralf Netz
-
Patent number: 8115164Abstract: A calibration device for managing a variety of performance tests and/or calibration tasks in a laser scanning microscope. The calibration device, which has focusing optics and a test structure arranged in the focal plane of the focusing optics, with structural elements detectable in reflected and/or transmitted light aligned to each other in a common mounting, can be switched into the microscope beam path in a laser scanning microscope, so that the pupil of the focusing optics coincides with the objective pupil of the laser scanning microscope or lies in a plane conjugated to it.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbHInventors: Ralf Netz, Wolfgang Bathe, Joerg Steinert, Werner Kleinschmidt, Ingo Fahlbusch, Michael Brehm
-
Publication number: 20110267688Abstract: Method for enhancing the resolution of a microscope during the detection of an illuminated specimen and a microscope for carrying out the method, wherein in a first position, an illumination pattern is generated on the specimen, the resolution of which is preferably within the range of the attainable optical resolution of the microscope or higher, wherein a relative movement, preferably perpendicular to the direction of illumination, from a first into at least one second position of the illumination pattern on the specimen is generated at least once between the detection and the illumination pattern with a step width smaller than the resolution limit of the microscope and detection and storage of the detection signals take place both in the first and in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Netz, Yauheni Novikau