Abstract: There is provided a method that includes projecting a collimated light beam from an optical system to a plane during a first mode of operation of the optical system, and projecting a convergent light beam from the optical system to the plane during a second mode of operation of the optical system. The method further includes, (a) during the first mode of operation, controlling a trajectory of a first light bundle in a first light path in the optical system, to steer the collimated light beam through the plane at a designated incidence angle, and (b) during the second mode of operation, controlling a trajectory of a second light bundle in a second light path of the optical system, to steer the convergent light beam to a target position in the plane. There is also provided an apparatus and a system that employs the method.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes projecting a collimated light beam from an optical system to a plane during a first mode of operation of the optical system, and projecting a convergent light beam from the optical system to the plane during a second mode of operation of the optical system. The method further includes, (a) during the first mode of operation, controlling a trajectory of a first light bundle in a first light path in the optical system, to steer the collimated light beam through the plane at a designated incidence angle, and (b) during the second mode of operation, controlling a trajectory of a second light bundle in a second light path of the optical system, to steer the convergent light beam to a target position in the plane. There is also provided an apparatus and a system that employs the method.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steering a beam of light. The method and apparatus are based on the discovery that the spectral dispersion of multi-chromatic light pulses by an acousto-optical deflector can be significantly ameliorated by positioning a dispersive element, such as a prism, along the path of the multi-chromatic light pulses in such a way that the dispersive element disperses the multi-chromatic light pulses in a direction opposite to the spectral dispersion caused by the acousto-optical deflector. The dispersive element may be positioned either before or after the acousto-optical deflector. The method and apparatus are particularly well-suited for use with ultrashort laser pulses in the visible and infrared ranges having a bandwidth of up to about 40 nm. The method and apparatus have applicability in, among other things, multi-photon laser scanning microscopy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steering a beam of light. The method and apparatus are based on the discovery that the spectral dispersion of multi-chromatic light pulses by an acousto-optical deflector can be significantly ameliorated by positioning a dispersive element, such as a prism, along the path of the multi-chromatic light pulses in such a way that the dispersive element disperses the multi-chromatic light pulses in a direction opposite to the spectral dispersion caused by the acousto-optical deflector. The dispersive element may be positioned either before or after the acousto-optical deflector. The method and apparatus are particularly well-suited for use with ultrashort laser pulses in the visible and infrared ranges having a bandwidth of up to about 40 nm. The method and apparatus have applicability in, among other things, multi-photon laser scanning microscopy.