Abstract: A device in the form of a scanning microscope, a device in the form of a structural unit for a microscope and a method and a device for optically scanning one or more samples. A device in the form of a scanning microscope has a light source (42), which emits an illuminating light beam (32). A focusing lens system (34) focuses the illuminating light beam (32) on a region to be examined of a sample (36). An actuator arrangement moves the focusing lens system (34) according to a prescribed scanning pattern transversely in relation to a center axis of the illuminating light beam (32) and/or in relation to a housing of a structural unit (20) that encloses the focusing lens system (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for illuminating or irradiating an object, a sample (8), or the like, for the purpose of imaging or analysis, particularly for use in a laser microscope (1), preferably in a confocal microscope having a laser light source (2) emitting the illuminating light, the laser light being coupled directly or by means of a glass fiber into an illumination light path (4), characterized in that the laser light source (2) is switched on rapidly upon a trigger signal directly prior to the actual need, for example, directly prior to imaging.

Abstract: A detector apparatus that is embodied to receive light and to generate electrical signals has a housing and a detector arranged in the housing. The detector includes a light sensor that is embodied to receive light and to release electrons. The light sensor is at a lower electrical potential level than the housing; and that the detector is in thermally conductive contact with the housing via an electrically insulating intermediate arrangement, the thermal conduction direction inside the housing being opposite to the light propagation direction of the light to be detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping sound in the optical beam path of a microscope, having an acoustic insulation housing for encapsulating a sound-emitting component, preferably a rapidly moving or oscillating beam deflection means, in particular a resonantly oscillating mirror, the housing comprising at least one optical entrance/exit opening, is characterized in that the housing, preferably the opening of the housing, is embodied and/or configured in such a way that the sound otherwise emerging from the housing is largely extinguished by destructive interference without thereby influencing the optical beam. A microscope having a corresponding apparatus is furthermore claimed.

Abstract: An acousto-optical filter element (114) is provided which has an acousto-optical crystal (118) having an acoustic signal transmitter (120) for generating acoustic signals in the acousto-optical crystal (118). The acousto-optical crystal (118) is designed to selectively spatially deflect light of a target wavelength from an input light beam (116) entering into the acousto-optical crystal (118), as a function of a high frequency applied to the acoustic signal transmitter (120), and to thereby produce a target light beam (126) having the target wavelength. In addition, the acousto-optical filter element (114) includes a spatial filter element (132) which is located in the target light beam (126) and is designed to selectively suppress the intensity of the target light beam (126) in a plane perpendicular to the propagation direction of the target light beam (126).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an acousto-optical component influencing at least one of illumination light and detection light in a microscope is described. The apparatus comprises a radio-frequency generator for supplying the acousto-optical component with a radio frequency. The radio-frequency generator is configured to compensate deviations in the characteristics of the light due to temperature fluctuations in the acousto-optical component by adapting the radio frequency.

Abstract: An acousto-optical filter element (114) is provided which has an acousto-optical crystal (118) having an acoustic signal transmitter (120) for generating acoustic signals in the acousto-optical crystal (118). The acousto-optical crystal (118) is designed to selectively spatially deflect light of a target wavelength from an input light beam (116) entering into the acousto-optical crystal (118), as a function of a high frequency applied to the acoustic signal transmitter (120), and to thereby produce a target light beam (126) having the target wavelength. In addition, the acousto-optical filter element (114) includes a spatial filter element (132) which is located in the target light beam (126) and is designed to selectively suppress the intensity of the target light beam (126) in a plane perpendicular to the propagation direction of the target light beam (126).

Abstract: An acousto-optical system is described comprising at least one acousto-optical element having at least one transducer that is attached to a crystal, a driver unit for generating at least one acoustic signal for driving acousto-optical elements modifying light transmitted through the acousto-optical element and comprising at least one digital data processing unit, at least one digital-to-analog converter transforming the digital combination signal into an initial analog driver signal, and an amplifier for amplifying the initial analog driver signal to become said analog electronic driver signal. Further, a microscope and a method of operating the acousto-optical element is are described. Various objectives are achieved like more flexibility, real time compensation for non-linearity and reducing the number, size, costs and energy consumption of electronic components.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an acousto-optical component influencing at least one of illumination light and detection light in a microscope is described. The apparatus comprises a radio-frequency generator for supplying the acousto-optical component with a radio frequency. The radio-frequency generator is configured to compensate deviations in the characteristics of the light due to temperature fluctuations in the acousto-optical component by adapting the radio frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping sound in the optical beam path of a microscope, having an acoustic insulation housing for encapsulating a sound-emitting component, preferably a rapidly moving or oscillating beam deflection means, in particular a resonantly oscillating mirror, the housing comprising at least one optical entrance/exit opening, is characterized in that the housing, preferably the opening of the housing, is embodied and/or configured in such a way that the sound otherwise emerging from the housing is largely extinguished by destructive interference without thereby influencing the optical beam. A microscope having a corresponding apparatus is furthermore claimed.

Abstract: A method for light-microscopy imaging of a sample structure (2, 34) is described, having the following steps: preparing the sample structure (2, 34) with markers that are transferrable into a state imageable by light microscopy, generating a sequence of individual-image data sets by sequential imaging of the sample structure (2, 34), in such a way that for each image, only a subset of the totality of the markers is in each case transferred into the state imageable by light microscopy, the markers of the respective subset having an average spacing from one another which is greater than the resolution limit of light-microscopy imaging which determines the extent of a light distribution representing one of the respectively imaged markers, generating at least two data blocks in which multiple successive individual-image data sets are respectively combined, superposing the individual-image data sets contained in the respective data block to yield a superposed-image data set, identifying an image offset between

Abstract: A light detector for use in a line scanning microscope and a microscope comprising such a light detector are described. The light detector comprises a line array of avalanche semiconductor detectors; and an electronic trigger circuit that is adapted to operate the avalanche semiconductor detectors in at least one of a Geiger mode with internal charge amplification and in a linear mode. The trigger circuit further comprises a parallel counter that is designed to read out in parallel light pulses detected by the avalanche semiconductor detectors. The parallel counter is adapted to accumulate the light pulses detected by the avalanche semiconductor detectors over a preset counting time.

Abstract: An optical arrangement and a related method for operating this optical arrangement are suggested, particularly in microscopes, for use as at least one of a main beam splitter and a beam combiner. One or more light beams can be coupled into the arrangement and at least one of the light beams that were coupled in can be coupled out again after having passed through the optical arrangement. In the path of the coupled in light beams at least one controllable microstructured element is provided, allowing to switch beam paths within the optical arrangement. This allows controlling or influencing the one or more light beams that are coupled out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for scanning an object comprising a focusing lens system (30) which focuses an illuminating light beam (24) onto a region of the object to be analyzed. An actuator assembly is coupled to the focusing lens system (30) and moves the focusing lens system (30) in accordance with a predefined scanning pattern transversely to the cecenternter axis of the illumination light beam (24) in a reference position of the illumination light beam (24). A front glass (38) is disposed downstream of the focusing lens system (30) viewed in the direction of the illuminating light beam (24). An internal immersion medium (40) is disposed between the focusing lens system (30) and the front glass (38). An external immersion medium (48) can be introduced between the front glass (38) and the object.

Abstract: A method and a device for providing a predeterminable concentration of at least one component in a microscopic sample liquid medium are described. The device includes a feeding device for the at least one component. Measurement data are determined, measuring a predeterminable parameter using a microscopic method. The concentration of the at least one component is adjusted or controlled via the feeding device based on the basis of measurement data.

Abstract: A device for detecting light includes at least one silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) having an array of a plurality of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), the array being larger in area than an incident light. The device is configured so as to at least one of activate and analyze only the SPADs upon which a specific minimum intensity of light impinges.

Abstract: A device in the form of a scanning microscope, a device in the form of a structural unit for a microscope and a method and a device for optically scanning one or more samples. A device in the form of a scanning microscope has a light source (42), which emits an illuminating light beam (32). A focusing lens system (34) focuses the illuminating light beam (32) on a region to be examined of a sample (36). An actuator arrangement moves the focusing lens system (34) according to a prescribed scanning pattern transversely in relation to a center axis of the illuminating light beam (32) and/or in relation to a housing of a structural unit (20) that encloses the focusing lens system (34).

Abstract: A microscope for fluorescence imaging microscopy, in particular for wide-field fluorescence microscopy, including a pulsed light source (1) and an imaging detector (11), is characterized in that means for gating are provided, and in that the gating causes the light source (1) and the detector (11) to be synchronized in order to suppress reflected/scattered light such that suitable fluorescence components are used for evaluation and unsuitable components are rejected. Furthermore, a method is used to perform fluorescence imaging microscopy using the microscope according to the present invention.

Abstract: A device for beam adjustment in an optical beam path, having at least two mutually independent light sources providing respective beams of a high or extremely high resolution microscope, the beams of the light sources superposed in a common illumination beam path. The device includes a calibration sample with the aid of which the pupil position and/or focal position of the beams can be checked. The device also includes a sample holder arranged to bring the calibration sample into and out of the common illumination beam path at the site or in the vicinity of an intermediate image. A corresponding method is described. In accordance with the device and method, it is possible to undertake the beam adjustment independently of the actual use, that is to say, in the case of a high resolution microscope, independently of the examination sample and/or the recording of images.

Abstract: A method for high spatial resolution stochastic examination of a biological sample structure labeled with a labeling substance is described. The method comprises providing a biological sample structure; choosing such a labeling substance that has molecules present in a first state and in a second state, and the first and second states differ from one another in at least one photophysical property such that there is sufficient probability that one portion of the molecules of the substance will be in the first state and another portion of the molecules will be in the second state and within which labeling substance a change of the state of the molecules can occur spontaneously between the two states in both directions; and labeling the biological sample structure with the substance.