Abstract: There is provided an electron microscope which is capable of making a significant contribution to accomplishment of efficiency in investigating causes for pattern abnormalities found out. The electron microscope including an I/O for capturing image data on a microscopic image acquired by another electron microscope, a computation processing unit for generating a display signal based on the image data on the microscopic image acquired by another electron microscope and captured via the I/O and image data on a microscopic image acquired by the electron microscope itself, in order that the microscopic image acquired by another electron microscope and the microscopic image acquired by the electron microscope itself are displayed at the same scale and under the same display condition, and a display unit for displaying both of the microscopic images based on the display signal from the computation processing unit.

Abstract: A scanning laser microscope obtains images by performing scanning with laser light. The scanning laser microscope includes scanner and controller. The scanner is applied for performing scanning with the laser light line by line. The controller is applied for calculating a required line scanning time that is required as time used for scanning one line, based on the time required for scanning one frame that is determined from a frame rate being set. The controller is also applied for adjusting at least one of a number of data in one line of drive waveform data for driving the scanner and a read cycle of the drive waveform data, so as to substantially match the time for the scanner to scan one line with the required line scanning time calculated by the controller.

Abstract: A confocal microscope apparatus is capable of obtaining a high confocal effect while detecting an image of a specimen line by line. The confocal microscope apparatus may include an illuminating optical system which illuminates a line-shaped area on a specimen plane in a specimen by collected light, an image-forming optical system which forms an image of light emitted from the specimen plane, a two-dimensional light detector which is placed at a conjugate plane of the specimen plane, a scanning unit which moves the line-shaped area on the specimen plane, and a correcting unit which corrects a pixel signal of a specific line on the two-dimensional light detector having a confocal relation with the line-shaped area based on a pixel signal of a peripheral line of the specific line.

Abstract: A compact and low cost microscope illuminator capable of generating 3-D optical images includes a first light source and a second light source. The two light sources lead two optical paths: one to illuminate a sample and another to project a pattern onto the focal plane of a microscope objective lens. The two light sources are controlled by a processor and can be turned on and off rapidly. A 3-D optical microscope equipped with said microscope illuminator and a method of creating a 3-D image on said 3-D optical microscope are also described.

Abstract: A multi-function microscope device comprises a main body and a light adjustment base; the main body having at least one light-emitting element, a magnetic element, and a transmitting element; a microscope lens being formed by a transparent element, a lens, and a magnetic element; a microscope device and being assembled by the lens, the main body, and the light adjustment base through the magnetic elements; a focusing element being formed by a focusing element retainer, a focus adjusting element, a cover retainer, and a cover; wherein the multi-function microscope device assembled by the microscope device and the focusing element can be arranged to a machine having a microscope equipment or a microscope frame, to be conveniently carried and used by a user as well as lowering the cost.

Abstract: An optical system suitable for use in an optical instrument such as a handheld optical probe, the optical system including a scanning element and an objective, the objective including a variable focus lens that can be electronically controlled to change the focal length of the optical system. In some embodiments, the optical system can axially and laterally scan a subject material by sequentially focusing at an axial depth using the variable focus lens and laterally scanning the material at that depth using the scanning element.

Abstract: The focus control culture observation apparatus enable simple and reliable detection of a focusing position of an objective lens on a subject and with certainty. When a focusing position is detected, an area, which includes an edge portion of the culture medium drop is selected as an AF area which is to be a target of detecting the focusing position of the objective lens on the culture medium drop. The apparatus detects the focusing position on the culture medium drop based on an observation image of the AF area. By detecting the focusing position as a targeting area that is different from an area which is near the edge of the culture container and where illumination unevenness is generated, the detection accuracy can be improved.

Abstract: A portable microscope includes an integrated operator control unit configured for at least one of selecting and adjusting at least one electrically controllable function of the microscope. The operator control unit includes at least one sensor configured to receive user control commands for at least one of activation, deactivation and adjustment of the at least one electrically controllable function. The at least one sensor includes a touch sensor and is disposed so as to accommodate holding and operation of the microscope with a single hand of a user.

Abstract: An operator control unit for use with a microscope is configured for at least one of selecting and adjusting at least one electrically controllable function of the microscope. The operator control unit is portable with one hand and includes a handle portion and at least one sensor configured to receive user control commands so as to at least one of activate, deactivate and adjust the at least one electrically controllable function. The at least one sensor includes a touch sensor and is disposed so as to accommodate holding and operation of the operator control unit simultaneously with one hand. The at least one sensor is disposed symmetrically with respect to the handle portion. The at least one sensor is assignable to different changeable microscope functions by actuation of at least one of the control unit and the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The microscopic imaging apparatus includes a system controlling unit for obtaining a VD time setting value, and for obtaining the number of electric charge subtracting pulses, a synchronization signal generating unit for generating a vertical synchronization signal on the basis of the VD time setting value output from the system controlling unit and the horizontal synchronization signal, and a timing generating unit for extracting the electric charge of the imaging device by supplying the horizontal synchronization signal by the number of electric charge subtracting pulses to the imaging device as the electric charge subtracting pulses, and for generating a read pulse synchronous with the vertical synchronization signal in order to stop the accumulation of the electric charge of the imaging device after exposure is started.

Abstract: An optical apparatus relates to the field of optical magnification and stereoscopy, more specifically to the problem of optically magnifying an area stereoscopically and displaying this information to an operator in a comfortable manner.

Abstract: A total internal reflection microscope for epi-fluorescence illumination observations includes an objective through which an object to be observed is illuminated by an excitation illumination light at an angle to an observation axis of the microscope. The angle is adjustable to be within the range suitable for a total internal reflection observation. The microscope also has a source of collimated excitation light. An interferometer is arranged in the optical path of the collimated excitation light and is configured to produce an interference pattern. A focusing lens system focuses the interference pattern produced by the interferometer into the back focal plane of the objective. The objective and the focusing lens system image the interference pattern produced by the interferometer into the conjugated image plane of the objective, thereby producing excitation illumination light that modulated spatially in intensity in a plane orthogonal to the observation axis of the microscope.

Abstract: An electronic device for biological microscopy includes a display unit and a main body adapted to the display unit, wherein an auto-focus microscope, an inspection area, and a computer are housed within the main body. The inspection area includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The microscope includes an object lens, an eye lens, and an extension lens configured between the object lens and the eye lens. The object lens is configured at the first side of the inspection area, and a lighting component is configured at the second side of the inspection area. A thermostat apparatus is configured on the inspection area. A camera electrically connected to the computer is configured on the eye lens and transmits the captured image to the computer for analysis with a pre-installed software.

Abstract: An epifluorescence microscope achieves a compact form factor without sacrificing optical sensitivity by the novel use of combined optic mounts and light baffles constructed using additive manufacturing processes. The use of additive manufacturing enables stray-light-capturing structures that are not practical to make by other techniques. Some embodiments of the present invention do not require installation of filters by an operator, reducing the likelihood of dust and contamination on optical surfaces. Some embodiments of the present invention employ a novel light path that avoids passing the fluorescent light through off-axis elements. This optical arrangement provides for the use of a microscope objective having a finite corrected-image distance, such as a DIN objective, rather than infinity-corrected objective that require additional optical elements to form an image.

Abstract: An imaging method and system are presented for use in sub-wavelength super resolution imaging of a subject. The imaging system comprises a spatial coding unit configured for collecting light coming from the scanned subject and being spaced from the subject a distance smaller than a wavelength range of said light; a light detection unit located upstream of the spatial coding unit with respect to light propagation from the object, and configured to define a pixel array and a spatial decoding unit, which is associated with said pixel array and is configured for applying spatial decoding to a magnified image of the scanned subject, thereby producing nanometric spatial resolution of the image.

Abstract: Disclosed is an observable centrifugal apparatus capable of checking in real time a state of a sample during reaction of separation or synthesization in the form of a stable and high-quality image at a high frame rate. An observable centrifugal apparatus A has a rotary disc 4 rotating about a rotary shaft 2, a reactor 6 disposed on the rotary disc and rotating together with the rotary disc while accommodating a sample, and a microscope 8 for observing a state of the sample within the reactor, in which predetermined substances of the sample are separated or synthesized by applying a centrifugal force to the sample within the reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided which allow the rapid collection of image data in situations where ancillary equipment must be controlled and co-ordinated as part of an image formation process, such as confocal microscopy for example. The apparatus includes control means (20?) for co-ordinating the operation of the apparatus, and operable to receive a first trigger signal (33, 33?, 37) indicating the completion of an operation from one component and transmit a second trigger signal (27, 27?) to start an operation by another component in response to the first trigger signal. Such a configuration is operate to reduce delays encountered in operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is an optical system for a thermal image microscope. The optical system includes an image forming unit and a relay unit. The image forming unit forms a focus. The relay unit elongates an optical path. Here, the image forming unit includes six lenses. The relay unit includes two lenses. Aspherical surfaces of the lenses are all convex surfaces.

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 stereomicroscope includes a microscope main body and a camera for assistant. The microscope main body includes therein an objective optical system, a zoom optical system and an eyepiece optical system. The camera for assistant is detachably mounted to the microscope main body. The microscope main body provides to a main operator a pair of optical images including a certain binocular disparity as viewed from an observation direction of the main operator. The camera for assistant provides to an assistant a pair of electron images including a certain binocular disparity as viewed from an observation direction of the assistant. The observation directions of the main operator and the assistant cross at a certain angle. The camera for assistant outputs the pair of electron images into a stereo viewer which is separated from the microscope main body.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for medium wide angle projection system. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises an imaging system configured to create an image, at least one lens configured to produce a medium wide-angle representation of the image, and an aperture stop positioned to capture the medium wide-angle representation of the image from the at least one lens.

Abstract: An autofocus device, comprises: a stage for mounting a sample; an objective lens; a focusing unit driving stage or the objective lens in an optical axis direction in order to control the position relative to each other of the stage and the objective lens; a lighting unit onto the sample; a detection unit detecting an optical image; a projection state changing unit being provided in an optical path, changing a state of the optical image projected onto the detection unit; a first in-focus state determination unit determining an in-focus state of the sample on the basis of a detection result; and a first in-focus state adjustment unit controlling a position of the projection state changing unit such that a state in which the stage and the objective lens are held at prescribed positions under control of the driving unit is determined to be an in-focus state.

Abstract: Provided with a time-lapse imaging unit which repeatedly captures a specimen at predetermined time intervals and generates a plurality of images, and a recording unit which records at least one of an image group including one or more of the images captured during a predetermined period among a period of a time-lapse capturing performed by the time-lapse imaging unit or an image group including one or more of the images picked at predetermined time intervals among the period of the time-lapse capturing performed by the time-lapse imaging unit. Thus, data generated in time-lapse photography are managed favorably in a microscope apparatus provided with a time-lapse imaging unit which repeatedly captures a specimen at predetermined time intervals and generates a plurality of images.

Abstract: There is provided a lighting system having a high spatial resolution appropriate to a high-frequency component by evanescent waves in a negative refraction lens. The lighting system includes a light emitter thin film (106) which includes a light emitting material which emits light when an energy is applied, a cathode (101) for applying an electron beam (102) which is the energy, to the light emitter thin film (106), and a negative refraction lens (110) which is formed of a material exhibiting negative refraction, and has an optical system for projecting light emitted from the light emitter thin film (106), on an object.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for generating images of a sample wherein the system comprises an illumination source for illuminating the sample; an image viewing subsystem for capturing images from the sample; one or more liquid crystal panels and one or more birefringent elements, which are positioned between the sample and the image viewing subsystem, so that the images from the sample pass through the liquid crystal panels and the birefringent elements before reaching the image viewing subsystem; a device that changes one or more polarization states of the liquid crystal panels; and a controller that is configured to cause the device to change the polarization states of the liquid crystal panels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a controllable microscope illumination within a microscope system by which all essential contrasting methods in microscopy can be realized. The illumination device according to the invention comprises a plurality of individual light sources which can be regulated with respect to brightness, wherein these individual light sources are formed as unit cells and form a luminous surface by a periodic arrangement. In an advantageous arrangement, imaging optics are associated with each individual light source in order to magnify the image of the source surface of the individual light source so that the images of the source surfaces of adjacent individual light sources touch. Illumination variants for all of the essential contrasting methods in microscopy can be generated by way of the proposed solution. The proposed LED illumination is electronically switchable, can be regulated with respect to brightness, supplies all colors, is long-lasting and economical.

Abstract: A fly eye integrator satisfying the following expression (1) is used for an illumination system: ?×?/f>M×DL×NAL (1) wherein ? is a diameter of a circle inscribed to a fly-eye integrator injection end surface; ? is a diameter of a circle inscribed to an end surface of each of lens elements constituting the fly-eye integrator; f is a focal distance of each of lens elements constituting the fly-eye integrator; M is a zoom multiplication ratio of the image formation optical system; DL is field-of-view diameter required for the zoom low multiplication unit of the DL image formation optical system; and NAL is a numerical aperture required for the zoom low multiplication side of the image formation optical system. Thus, it is possible to provide an image measuring apparatus which can prevent insufficient NA from the low multiplication to the high multiplication of zoom and irregularities of the field-of-view.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are imaging interferometric microscopes and methods for imaging interferometric microscopy using structural illumination and evanescent coupling for the extension of imaging interferometric microscopy. Furthermore, there are coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopes and methods for coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopy, wherein imaging interferometric microscopy techniques are applied to get material dependent spectroscopic information.

Abstract: A light source apparatus is provided which includes semiconductor laser elements that emit laser light according to an inputted current signal, a light receiving element that receives the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser elements, and a controller that controls light emission of the semiconductor laser elements. The controller includes a first semiconductor laser element drive circuit that outputs a current signal to the semiconductor laser elements according to an instruction signal, a second semiconductor laser element drive circuit that adjusts the current signal based on a light quantity of the laser light received by the light receiving element, and outputs the adjusted current signal to the semiconductor laser elements, and a circuit switching section that switches between the first and the second semiconductor laser element drive circuits according to an instruction signal.

Abstract: A device for shifting the imaging axis of a microscope across the endfaces of a multi-fiber connector for inspecting the endfaces comprises: a supporting body attached to the optical tube of a microscope and having an extended portion; a swinging lever mounted at one end to the extended portion of the supporting body and rotatable on an axis perpendicular to the imaging axis of the microscope; a connection piece connecting between the swinging lever and a fitting tip; a bevel wheel fastened to the supporting body; and a torsion spring for pushing the swinging lever against a slanted surface of the bevel wheel. The bevel wheel is adapted to swing the swinging lever relative to the supporting body so that the imaging axis of the microscope is moved relative to the fitting tip to selectively align the imaging axis across the endfaces for inspection.

Abstract: A microscope image pickup system is one having a microscope apparatus enabled to change an observation state by driving one or more optical members, which comprises: an image pickup unit for picking up an image of an observation object; an image process unit for applying an image process to an image picked up by the image pickup unit; an input unit for inputting a process factor of the image process unit, wherein an observation state of the microscope apparatus and/or an image pickup condition of the image pickup unit are set up and an image is picked up so as to pick up an image of an image quality being equal to, or better than, that of an image to which an image process is applied on the basis of the process factor input from the input unit.

Abstract: This is a microscope observation system comprising a microscope, a camera unit, a light-amount adjustment unit for controlling adjustment parts included the microscope in order to suppress the amount of reflected light of a specimen image formed on the camera unit, a camera adjustment unit for controlling an adjustment part group of the camera unit in order to adjust image signals photo-electrically converted by the camera unit to a desired state, a light measurement unit for measuring the brightness of the specimen, a display unit for displaying a captured image, a control unit for controlling continuous display speed indicating the continuous display interval of an image continuously displayed on the display unit and at least one of an observation position shifting unit for changing the observation position or observation magnification of the specimen or an observation state detection unit for detecting the observation position or the observation magnification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microscope (1). The microscope (1) comprises a microscope stand (3) and a component (8) arranged movably relative to the microscope stand (3). The microscope stand (3) and the movably arranged component (8) each comprise a surface (11, 10). A gap (9) that can be encroached into from outside is defined by the mutually facing surfaces (11, 10) of the microscope stand (3) and of the movably arranged component (8). The gap (9) changes as a function of the movement of the component (8). The pinching protection apparatus is intended in particular to be of economical configuration and/or to enable a modular microscope concept. The microscope according to the present invention is characterized by a pinching protection apparatus having at least one encroachment protection device (13) that is arranged in the gap (9), is embodied as a thin plate, and extends between the two surfaces in the gap (9).

Abstract: Providing an imaging apparatus and a microscope capable of taking two-dimensional images of a sample at a plurality of observation positions different in the optical axis direction at the same time. The apparatus includes an image-forming lens 15 that forms images of a sample 4 on a plurality of image-forming places; an optical-path-dividing member 17, 18, 19 that divides an optical path from the same area in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the sample 4 so as to form the plurality of image-forming places; and an optical-path-length-changing member 27, 28, 29 that is provided on at least one optical path between the plurality of image-forming places and the imaging lens 15.

Abstract: The microscope comprises a first phase-contrast objective including a first phase film shaped like a ring and having a 20-fold magnification or lower, a second phase-contrast objective including a second phase film shaped like a ring and having a 60-fold magnification or higher; and a ring slit shared and used by the first and second phase-contrast objectives.

Abstract: A solid immersion lens holder 200 includes a holder main body 8 having a lens holding unit 60 that holds a solid immersion lens 6, and an objective lens socket 9 for attaching the holder main body 8 to a front end of an objective lens 21. The solid immersion lens 6 is held in a state of being unfixed to be free with respect to the lens holding unit 60. A vibration generator unit 120 that causes the holder main body 8 to vibrate is attached to the objective lens socket 9. The vibration generator unit 120 has a vibrating motor 140 held by a motor holding member 130, and a weight 142 structured to be eccentric by weight is attached to an output shaft 141 of the vibrating motor 140. A vibration generated in the vibration generator unit 120 is transmitted to the solid immersion lens 6 via the objective lens socket 9 and the holder main body 8. Thereby, achieving the solid immersion lens holder capable of improving the close contact between the solid immersion lens and an observation object.

Abstract: A projection and detector device that attaches externally to the photo-port of a widefield microscope. The device includes a light source interface for receiving of illumination from a light source, the illumination defining an illumination path. A pattern mask is located within the illumination path for projecting one or a plurality of objects, structures, or patterns onto a sample located at the object plane of the optical microscope. The pattern mask may be used with structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to project a moving striped optical grid pattern or Ronchi Ruling onto the sample at the object plane in either fluorescence or reflected brightfield imaging. A mechanical or digital diaphragm may also be used, for techniques such as Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP), fluorescence photoactivation, and targeted illumination. A computer linked with a charged coupled device (CCD) camera may be used to capture images for storage and further post-processing.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus can generate information of a super-resolved image at high speed. For that purpose, the microscope apparatus of the present invention is equipped with an image-forming optical system for forming an intermediate image of light emitted from a specimen, a relay optical system for forming an image of the intermediate image, an illuminating optical system that jointly owns an optical path of the image-forming optical system and illuminates the specimen through the optical path of the image-forming optical system, and a spatial modulator disposed on a formation plane of the intermediate image. In this microscope apparatus, the specimen is subjected to structured illumination by an image of the spatial modulator. Light from the specimen which is modulated by the structured illumination is automatically remodulated in the spatial modulator.

Abstract: A surgical drape with a functional interface for engaging surgical instruments, including a flexible, tube-like sleeve for creating a sterile barrier around a non-sterile holding arm. The drape is open at a proximal end, and has a hub at a distal end for connection to a distal end of the holding arm. The hub has sterile external surfaces that allow surgical instruments to be easily removably attached in a variety of directions and orientations, providing sufficient mechanical strength to transmit forces from the instruments to the holding arm. The hub includes an externally accessible, sterile actuator for actuating an electronic circuit local to the holding arm on the non-sterile side of the barrier.

Abstract: An attachment connects an eyepiece lens tube of microscope and an imaging lens tube of visual presenter and includes a cylindrical part loosely fittable through an opening with the eyepiece lens tube, a circular receiving surface which is formed on the cylindrical part and which a distal end of the imaging lens abuts, the receiving surface having a through hole, an indication line indicative of a center of the hole, a positioning piece standing along an outer circumferential edge of the receiving surface and having an inner circumferential surface with a curvature radius substantially equal to a curvature radius of outer circumference surface of the imaging lens tube, the outer circumferential surface of the imaging lens tube, and at least three screw members which are threadingly thrust radially through a circumferential surface of the cylindrical part into the cylindrical part, the screw members being arranged equiangularly.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, systems and methods for reducing and/or preventing photodamage of one or more reactants in illuminated analytical reactions by one or more of incorporating photodamage mitigating agents within the reaction mixture and/or interrogating different observation regions of the reaction mixture for a period that is less than a photodamage threshold period.

Abstract: A microscope includes optics configured to direct beams onto an object including a reflective material, a detector configured to receive a field spectrum formed by beams reflected by the object, and a calculator configured to reconstruct an image of the object from the field spectrum detected by the detector.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a first optical system which illuminates a sample via an objective lens with light output from a light source and which detects fluorescence emitted from the sample via the objective lens, and a second optical scanning system which irradiates specific regions of the sample with a laser beam output from a laser light source, thereby causing a particular phenomenon. The first optical system may include a rotatable disk to obtain a confocal effect, and the light output from the light source scans the sample via the rotatable disk, and the fluorescence is detected via the rotatable disk. A depth position of a focal plane of the second optical scanning system is generally the same as a depth position of a focal plane of the first optical system.

Abstract: A solid immersion lens optics assembly, a test station for probing and testing of integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer, and a method of landing a SIL on an object. The optics assembly comprises an objective lens housing for receiving an objective lens, and a solid immersion lens (SIL) housing for mounting an SIL and adapted for connection to the objective lens housing; wherein a peripheral wall of the SIL housing comprises an integrated spring section adapted to provide a biased support for the SIL.

Abstract: There is provided a method for analyzing at least one object under a first microscope and a second microscope concurrently by linking the two microscopes together. Movement of one microscope will result in movement of the other. This is done by computing a transformation to link a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system and generating guidance data when one of the two microscopes is displaced, the guidance data corresponding to a set of operations to be applied to the other microscope to follow movement of the microscope that is displaced.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of rapid three dimensional scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a tilted sensor synchronized with a positioning stage. The system also provides a method for interpolating tilted image layers into a orthogonal tree dimensional array or into its two dimensional projection as well as a method for composing the volume strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single continuous digital image or volume.

Abstract: A scanning laser microscope includes a laser light source; an acousto-optic deflector having a crystal, being arranged in an optical path of a laser beam emitted from the laser light source and capable of changing a traveling direction of the laser beam when frequencies of acoustic waves applied to the crystal are changed; a frequency control unit configured to simultaneously apply acoustic waves having a plurality of frequencies to the crystal of the acousto-optic deflector; an objective lens configured to converge the laser beam emitted from the laser light source to form a beam spot on a specimen; and an optical scanning device configured to two-dimensionally scan the scanning spot by deflecting the laser beam in two directions perpendicular to each other. The acousto-optic deflector, the optical scanning device, and a pupil of the objective lens are arranged at positions optically conjugate with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscopy system for representing an object that can be placed on an object plane (1) of the microscopy system, the latter comprising a representation system (26) containing several optical elements for providing at least one optical representation path (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical elements comprise a plurality of optical lenses (4-8, 11, 13, 14), through which the optical representation path(s) (2a-2d) pass(es) in sequence and which represent the object plane (1) in an intermediate image (P). The optical lenses (4-8, 11) are configured in such a way that the representation of the object plane (1) in the intermediate image (P) is reduced a maximum 0.9 times, preferably a maximum 0.8 times, preferably a maximum 0.6 times, with 0.5 times being the preferred maximum reduction.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for in-situ monitoring of a specimen while undergoing a defined process. The system includes a processing system adapted to perform the defined process on the specimen, and a coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy system adapted to in-situ monitor the specimen. In another aspect, the CARS microscopy system is adapted to in-situ monitor the specimen simultaneous with the defined process being performed on the specimen by the processing system. In still another aspect, the CARS microscopy system is adapted to perform a measurement of the specimen while the defined process being performed on the specimen is paused or temporarily halted.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for generating enhanced images of multiple dimensional data using a depth-buffer segmentation process. The method and system operate in a computer system modify the image by generating a reduced-dimensionality image data set from a multidimensional image by formulating a set of projection paths through image points selected from the multidimensional image, selecting an image point along each projection path, analyzing each image point to determine spatial similarities with at least one other point adjacent to the selected image point in a given dimension, and grouping the image point with the adjacent point or spatial similarities between the points is found thereby defining the data set.