Abstract: A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing mechanism for forming an image in an intermediate image zone and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing mechanism includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing mechanism for forming an image in an intermediate image zone and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing mechanism includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing apparatus for forming an image in an intermediate image zone, and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting apparatus for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing apparatus includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing mechanism for forming an image in an intermediate image zone and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing mechanism includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens (20) includes an image forming and capturing means (26) for forming an image in an intermediate image zone (44), and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within said intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting means (28) for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing means (26) includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens (20) is reduced.

Abstract: A microscopic imaging system includes a receiving means (2) for receiving an article (4) to be imaged, a linear optical detector (16), focussing means (10) for focussing an image of an article in the receiving means onto the detector, scanning means (6) for producing relative movement between the image and the detector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the detector, and an optical correcting element (14) for reducing aberrations in the image focussed onto the detector.

Abstract: A method of stereo microscopy involves using an apparatus including a microscope (2), a sample holder (4) located in the vicinity of the focal point of the microscope, drive means (18) for providing relative movement between the sample holder and the focal point, an image gathering device (10) arranged to collect microscopic images of objects at the focal point of the microscope, an image processing device (20) and a display device (22). First and second microscopic images of an object in the sample holder are gathered by the image gathering device (10) by means of first and second sequential exposures, relative movement between the sample holder and the focal point being provided in first and second directions during said first and second exposures respectively.

Abstract: The confocal microscope has two matched light sources: a first light source (1) and a second light source (8). The light sources (1,8) are arranged to illuminate opposite sides of a modulating mask (6). The light either reflecting from or passing through the modulating mask (6) is then used to illuminate an object O supported on a mount (5). The microscope is arranged so that the object O is mounted on the opposite side of the mask (6) to a camera (7) such that light reflected from the object O passes through the modulating mask (6) before being captured by the camera (7). Subtraction of the image produced using the second light source (8) from the image produced using the first light source (1) generates a confocal image that contains substantially less noise than is possible with available confocal microscopy apparatus.

Abstract: The confocal imaging apparatus includes first and second light sources (6, 7) located at opposite ends of a fibre optic bundle (1). One end of the fibre optic bundle (4) is located adjacent the object to be imaged the opposite end of the fibre optic bundle (2) is located adjacent a camera (3) that records the images received from the fibre optic bundle (4). An analyser (10) is used to extract a confocal image from the image of the object produced using the illumination from the first light source (6) and the image of the object produced using illumination from the second light source (7). The imaging apparatus is particularly suited to endoscopy applications and is able to provide video rate confocal images.

Abstract: An object is illuminated by a light source, and a periodic pattern of transparent and non-transparent stripes is superimposed onto the object. At least three images are recorded at different spatial phases of the pattern by means of a microscope of shallow focal depth, and a three-dimensional image containing only in-focus detail is then derived from the recorded images.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a light source, a focusing arrangement, a detector and an encoded mask (17). The light source illuminates the mast (17) and the encoded light is then focused on a specimen. Light from the specimen is then decoded, by either the same or a separate complementary mask, before being detected, for example by a camera. The mask (17) is encoded with a pattern which generates a combined confocal and non-confocal image and the confocal image is subsequently extracted from the combined image. This means that confocal images of different regions of the specimen can be produced simultaneously, which in turn enables real-time confocal imaging of the specimen. In addition, as the microscope is no longer restricted to delta correlated images, an improvement in the light budget can also be achieved.