Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured for generating a coherent light beam having a wavelength, ?, a light detector, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the generated light beam and for generating a plurality of substantially parallel Bessel-like beams directed into a sample in a first direction. Each of the Bessel-like beams has a fixed phase relative to the other Bessel-like beams. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beams and for imaging the received light onto the detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction, where the detector is configured for detecting light received by the imaging optics. A processor configured to generate an image of the sample based on the detected light.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured for generating a coherent light beam having a wavelength, ?, a light detector, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the generated light beam and for generating a plurality of substantially parallel Bessel-like beams directed into a sample in a first direction. Each of the Bessel-like beams has a fixed phase relative to the other Bessel-like beams. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beams and for imaging the received light onto the detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction, where the detector is configured for detecting light received by the imaging optics. A processor configured to generate an image of the sample based on the detected light.

Abstract: A method includes: (a) providing spatially-patterned activation radiation to a sample that includes phototransformable labels, where an optical parameter of the spatially-patterned activation radiation varies periodically in space; (b) providing spatially-patterned excitation radiation to the sample, where an optical parameter of the spatially-patterned excitation radiation varies periodically in space, where (a) and (b) create a non-linear fluorescence emission pattern within the sample, the pattern including H modulation harmonics, with H>1. The method includes (c) detecting radiation emitted from the activated and excited labels, (d) storing detected radiation data, and (e) spatially shifting one or both of the spatially-patterned excitation radiation and the spatially-patterned activation radiation with respect to the sample to spatially shift the non-linear fluorescence emission pattern within the sample, and (f) repeating (a)-(e) at least N times, with N>2.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured for generating a coherent light beam having a wavelength, ?, a light detector, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the generated light beam and for generating a plurality of substantially parallel Bessel-like beams directed into a sample in a first direction. Each of the Bessel-like beams has a fixed phase relative to the other Bessel-like beams. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beams and for imaging the received light onto the detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction, where the detector is configured for detecting light received by the imaging optics. A processor configured to generate an image of the sample based on the detected light.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.

Abstract: Excitation light is focused to a focus within a sample and the focus is scanned within a volume in the sample with scanning optical elements. Signal light emitted from the focus is de-scanned, with the one or more scanning optical elements, onto a wavefront sensor as the focus is scanned within the volume. Based on the descanned signal light, an average aberration created by the volume of the sample of a wavefront of the excitation light is determined. A wavefront of the excitation light is corrected by an amount according to the determined average aberration while the focus is scanned within the volume, the signal light is imaged onto a photosensitive detector as the focus is scanned within the volume, and a wavefront of the imaged signal light is corrected by an amount according to the determined average aberration while the focus is scanned.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.

Abstract: A method includes: (a) providing spatially-patterned activation radiation to a sample that includes phototransformable labels, where an optical parameter of the spatially-patterned activation radiation varies periodically in space; (b) providing spatially-patterned excitation radiation to the sample, where an optical parameter of the spatially-patterned excitation radiation varies periodically in space, where (a) and (b) create a non-linear fluorescence emission pattern within the sample, the pattern including H modulation harmonics, with H>1. The method includes (c) detecting radiation emitted from the activated and excited labels, (d) storing detected radiation data, and (e) spatially shifting one or both of the spatially-patterned excitation radiation and the spatially-patterned activation radiation with respect to the sample to spatially shift the non-linear fluorescence emission pattern within the sample, and (f) repeating (a)-(e) at least N times, with N>2.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: Excitation light is focused to a focus within a sample and the focus is scanned within a volume in the sample with scanning optical elements. Signal light emitted from the focus is de-scanned, with the one or more scanning optical elements, onto a wavefront sensor as the focus is scanned within the volume. Based on the descanned signal light, an average aberration created by the volume of the sample of a wavefront of the excitation light is determined. A wavefront of the excitation light is corrected by an amount according to the determined average aberration while the focus is scanned within the volume, the signal light is imaged onto a photosensitive detector as the focus is scanned within the volume, and a wavefront of the imaged signal light is corrected by an amount according to the determined average aberration while the focus is scanned.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.