Abstract: To acquire an image of a sample. A microscope includes: an illumination optical system that includes a light flux splitter that splits light from a light source into a plurality of light fluxes, and scans a sample in a plurality of directions with interference fringes generated by interference of at least part of the light fluxes split by the light flux splitter; a detection optical system on which light from the sample is incident; a detection device that includes a plurality of detectors that detect the light from the sample via the detection optical system; and an image processor that generates an image using detection results of two or more of the detectors of the detection device.

Abstract: A scanning microscope and method of operation has a scan filter with a repeat pattern of a plurality of rows that is repeated at least across an active area of an entire surface of an area detector. Each row is covered by a bandpass filter or an emission filter for a specific fluorophore or filters of a particular colour for each row. The scanning microscope can be used to obtain one or more of hyperspectral images, multispectral images, RGB images, RGBW images, W images and Single Field Of View images of a specimen using Moving Specimen Image Averaging. A method of obtaining one or more of the images is also described.

Abstract: A microscopic imaging system and a microscopic imaging method. The system includes: an illumination module configured to generate a laser illumination, an LCOS device located in a Fourier plane of the laser illumination and configured to modulate a phase of the laser illumination, a 4-F system configured to adjust a size of a light beam of the laser illumination, an excitation lens group configured to generate a point illumination focused in a sample plane, a detecting lens group configured to capture an image of a PSF of the point illumination, a camera sensor, and a controller configured to synchronously control a change in a phase pattern of the LCOS device and an image capture of the camera sensor.

Abstract: A high content imaging system and a method of operating the high content imaging system are disclosed. A microscope has a first objective lens and a second objective lens, and an objective lens database has first and second transformation values associated with the first and the second objective lenses, respectively. A microscope controller operates the microscope with the first objective lens to develop first values of acquisition parameters. A configuration module automatically determines second values of the acquisition parameters using the first values of the acquisition parameters, first transformation values associated with the first objective lens, and second transformation values associated with the second objective lens. The microscope controller operates the microscope using the second objective lens and the second values of the acquisition parameters.

Abstract: A dual inclined beam line-scanning confocal microscope apparatus, associated method, and applications thereof. An embodied dual-inclined beam line-scanning confocal microscope (2iLS) utilizes dual, parallel excitation beams each having a focused line shape that are scanned over a fluorescent sample. The emitted fluorescence from the sample is spatially filtered and detected by an array detector. 2iLS microscopy provides high resolution, ultrasensitivity, and deep optical sectioning capability. A reduced excitation intensity lowers photobleaching and photodamage.

Abstract: An additively manufactured component is provided. The additively manufactured component includes an additively manufactured first part defining a first trench, an additively manufactured second part defining a second trench and a fiber optic sensor. The additively manufactured first and second parts are additively manufactured together with the first and second trenches corresponding in position such that the additively manufactured first and second parts form an assembled part with a fiber channel cooperatively defined by the first and second trenches. The fiber optic sensor includes a first sensor part embedded in the fiber channel and a second sensor part operably coupled to the first sensor part and extendible at an exterior of the assembled part.

Abstract: An observation apparatus including: a top plate on which a container in which a specimen is accommodated can be placed, and through which illumination light can pass; a light source that emits the illumination light upward from below the specimen; an objective lens that focuses, below the specimen and the top plate, transmitted light which is the illumination light that has passed through the specimen from thereabove and that has passed through the top plate; and a camera that captures the transmitted light, wherein the light source emits the illumination light toward an area above the specimen from outside the objective lens in a radial direction, and the top plate is provided with a mark that specifies a viewing-field area of the camera.

Abstract: A confocal measuring apparatus (1) includes a light source (10), an optical system (30) configured to receive reflected light from a measurement surface, a light guide part (20) into which a plurality of cores including a first core (26) and a second core (28) is built and configured to propagate the reflected light by the plurality of cores, a displacement amount measurement part (40) including a spectroscope (42) configured to separate the reflected light propagated by the first core into each wavelength components and a detector (44) having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged to correspond to a spectral direction by the spectroscope, and a peripheral image measurement part (60) configured to form an image of the reflected light propagated by the second core on the plurality of image pickup elements and to generate a peripheral image with respect to a measurement position of the measurement surface.

Abstract: A protective device for protecting microscope components from contact with a liquid comprises at least one objective protection ring for arrangement around an objective, wherein the objective protection ring comprises an annular contact area for contacting the objective; and a stand protector with a drainage channel for draining a liquid. The objective protection ring comprises a lower ring area located below the contact area and protruding further outwards radially than the contact area in order to form a free space in the inward direction.

Abstract: An objective-changer apparatus for a microscope system comprising an objective-transfer element with at least one objective holder for holding an objective that has been provided with an adapter, wherein the objective-transfer element moves a selected active objective into position in a transfer position in controlled fashion and an objective axis of the active objective does not coincide with the optical axis of the microscope system in the transfer position. A receiving apparatus is adjustable in the direction of the optical axis of the microscope system and can be brought into contact with the adapter. The receiving apparatus transports the active objective along a transport path in a transport direction orthogonal to the microscope system's optical axis between the transfer position and a work position in line with the microscope system's optical axis. The transport path is shorter than the extent of the objective holder in the transport direction.

Abstract: An image reproducing device includes one or more processors. The processor acquires image group data including a plurality of images and tag information on at least one tag. The images relate to a biological sample along time series. The tag information relates to an operation on the biological sample and is associated with at least part of the images. The processor selects from the plurality of images using the tag information, images to be reproduced along the time series as reproduction selected images. The processor outputs to a display, data relating to the images for the reproduction selected images to be reproduced along time series.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stage for use in a slide imaging apparatus including positioning a stage in relation to a flat surface so that the flat surface is positioned in front of the top surfaces of slide support pin bases on the top surface of the stage. The method also includes injecting a fluid pin surfacing material configured to solidify into the hole of each slide support pin base so that at least some of the fluid pin surfacing material exits the hole at the top surface of the slide support pin bases and pushes up against the flat surface. The method also includes removing the flat surface so that a tip of solid pin surfacing material is formed on the top surface of each slide support pin base, thereby providing the stage with a plurality of slide support pins.

Abstract: A microscope assembly can be used during microbiological processes. The microscope assembly includes a lens assembly for magnified imaging of an object range in an imaging plane along an optical path; a sample receiving unit for a sample arranged in the object range; and a camera receiving unit for receiving a camera in a range of the imaging plane the camera adapted to generate a digital image of the sample; where the lens assembly is a ball lens, a halved ball lens, or a lens in the form of a rotational spheroid; and the camera receiving unit is adapted to receive a customary mobile end device equipped with a camera or a camera cooperating with a mobile end device.

Abstract: An arrangement for microscopy, having an illumination optical unit with an illumination objective for illuminating a specimen on a specimen carrier. An optical axis of the illumination objective lies in a plane which includes an illumination angle that differs from zero with the normal of a specimen plane and the illumination is implemented in the plane. A detection optical unit with a detection objective is located in a detection beam path. The optical axis of the detection objective includes a detection angle that differs from zero with the normal of the specimen plane. The illumination objective and/or the detection objective has an illumination correction element. A meniscus lens is located between the specimen carrier and the illumination and detection objectives being arranged both in the illumination beam path and in the detection beam path.

Abstract: With the aim of shortening the entire length and configuring an entire upright microscope compactly even if coded aperture technology and light field technology are applied thereto, a microscope pupil relay optical system is disposed on an image side of a microscope image-forming optical system including an objective lens, and includes, in the following order from an object side, a first lens group that has a positive refractive power and to which a convergent light flux is introduced from the object side; and a second lens group that has a positive refractive power. A lens located closest to the object-side end of the first lens group is disposed on the object side than a primary image-forming plane on which the microscope image-forming optical system forms an object image, and an exit pupil of the objective lens is re-formed at a position optically conjugate with the exit pupil.

Abstract: An observation apparatus includes: a stage on which a container accommodating a specimen is mounted; a light source generating illumination light emitted in an upward direction from below the specimen on a specimen placement surface; a light-collecting lens disposed parallel to the surface and collecting the light; a diffusion plate disposed between the lens and the surface, parallel to the surface, and diffusing the light collected by the lens; an objective optical system disposed below the stage and collecting light passing through the stage from thereabove; and an image-capturing optical system capturing, below the specimen, transmitted light, which is the light emitted from the source, reflected above the specimen, transmitted through the specimen, and collected by the objective optical system, wherein the source is positioned so that an optical axis thereof is shifted from an optical axis of the lens in a direction away from the image-capturing optical system.

Abstract: A user interface for display of multiview image sets captured by slide scanning digital microscopes, including a graphical user interface (GUI) for the display of one or more of multi-level, multi-angle, and multi-region images.

Abstract: An alignment system for a HUD is provided and includes a mirror, a mirror actuator, first and second light sources, an optic assembly, and a control module. The mirror actuator adjusts mirror orientation. The first light source generates a first light beam. The mirror directs the first light beam from the HUD to a combiner to generate a virtual image. The second light source generates a second light beam. The optic assembly directs the second light beam to the combiner to generate a fiducial. The control module: performs an alignment process including, based on received inputs, controlling the mirror actuator to adjust mirror orientation to adjust a position of the virtual image and align a portion of the virtual image, the fiducial and an eye of a viewer; determines a height of the eye based on a mirror angle; and displays another virtual image based on the height.

Abstract: In a microscopic observation unit (10), hologram data is acquired at each measurement position on a cell culture plate (13) while a light-source section (11) and other related sections are gradually moved by a moving section (15). Every time a set of data for one measurement position is acquired, a measurement monitoring image creator (24) creates a thumbnail image by reducing the size of a hologram image which is based on original data (two-dimensional distribution of light intensity). A display processor (25) pastes the create thumbnail image to progressively complete the hologram image of the entire plate to be displayed on a display unit (27). A measurement operator watches the hologram image during the execution of the measurement. When it has been concluded that the ongoing measurement is inappropriate, the operator presses a measurement stop button to immediately discontinue the measurement.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a broadband hyperspectral imaging spectrophotometer configured to analyze an object and includes an illumination assembly having a source for emitting a light beam and configured so that the light beam scans line by line the object to be analyzed, a focusing mirror, a first mirror folding, and a planar scanning mirror movable in rotation. The illumination assembly, the focusing mirror, the first folding mirror and the planar mirror are arranged to bring the light beam to the object along a line which will be displaced on the object via the scanning mirror. The imaging spectrophotometer further includes two measuring sensors by a distance between the object and the scanning mirror. The focusing mirror is movable in translation to adapt the imager to the measured distance by the measuring sensors.

Abstract: A microscope includes illumination optics for fluorescence excitation of point light sources of a sample, detection optics and a camera having a sensor. A density of the point light sources is kept low so as to minimize a crossover of point light sources that are behind or close to one another in each image captured by the camera. A means for subdividing a detection aperture into individual sub-apertures is provided in a beam path of the detection optics such that images generated by the individual sub-apertures on the sensor of the camera depict an object volume from different spatial directions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for automatically controlling a lens to cornea standoff. Automatic lens to cornea standoff control can include an ophthalmic microscope with a lens arrangement configured for viewing images of an eye, a front lens assembly with a high diopter lens for resolving an image of a posterior portion of the eye, and a sensor to monitor a distance between the high diopter lens and a surface of the eye. Automatic lens to cornea standoff control can also include a control system for receiving distance information and an actuator for the front lens assembly back to the threshold standoff distance, past the threshold standoff distance, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope in which a layer of the sample is illuminated by a plurality of thin strips of light (11) passed through a grid (34) and the sample is viewed (5) perpendicular to the plane of the strips of light. To record the image, the object (4) is displaced through the strips of light (11). At least three different images of the objects (4) are made at different phase angles. The images can be combined to form a single combined image.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-photon microscopy system that uses sequential excitation of a sample through three or more objective lenses oriented at different axes intersecting the sample are disclosed. Each objective lens is capable of focused sequential excitation of the sample that elicits fluorescence emissions from the excited sample, which is then simultaneously detected by each respective objective lens along a respective longitudinal axis every time the sample is illuminated through only a single objective lens.

Abstract: A Multi-Z confocal microscopy system can simultaneously record from multiple Z-sections, and thus performs high speed volumetric imaging. An illumination line can be formed by under-filling the illumination beam in the aperture of the microscope objective. The illumination line extends in the Z dimension into the target sample to be imaged and an X-Y scanning mechanism can be used to scan the illumination line over the sample. The detection signal emanating from the scanned sample can be collected through the full numerical aperture of the microscope objective and directed to a detector subsystem. The detector subsystem includes an array of reflecting pinhole detectors and each reflecting pinhole detector is configured to image a volume at a different depth in the sample. This configuration enables reflecting pinhole detector array to image more than one depth volume at the same time.

Abstract: A pulsed beam of NIR excitation light is projected into a sample (345) at an oblique angle and scanned by a scanning element through a volume in the sample. 2-photon excitation excites fluorescence within the sample. The fluorescence is imaged onto an intermediate image plane that remains stationary regardless of the orientation of the scanning element. The image is captured by a linear array of light detecting elements (392) or a linear portion of a rectangular array. At any given position of the scanning element, the linear array (or portion) images all depths simultaneously. A plurality of images are captured for each of a plurality of different orientations of the scanning element. The orientation of the scanning element is controlled to move in a two dimensional pattern, which causes the beam of excitation light to sweep out a three dimensional volume within the sample.

Abstract: Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) affords highly parallelized 3D imaging with optical sectioning capability and minimal light exposure. However, using Gaussian beams for light-sheet generation results in a trade-off between beam waist thickness and the area over which the beam can approximate a light-sheet. Novel techniques for LSFM are disclosed that uses extended focusing and/or laser line focuses to produce divergence free light-sheets with near diffraction-limited resolution and uniform intensity distribution.

Abstract: A modular confocal microscope includes a beam steering means arranged to direct the source of electromagnetic radiation non-collinearly with the optical axis of a focusing lens. The focused non-collinearly directed source of electromagnetic radiation is used for an imaging basis of targeted one or more sites of a specimen. An arrayed detector is configured along a beam path in a conjugate confocal plane to the targeted one or more sites of the specimen. The arrayed detector is also configured to provide autocorrection information to maintain focus and image quality of the targeted one or more sites using the imaging basis. The arrayed detector provides high-throughput configured synthetic apertures in a pixel range array of N=2×2 up to an array of N=21×21.

Abstract: A refractive component includes at least one reflection surface and at least one diffractive optical element. The refractive component is configured to receive a light beam and the light beam expands within the refractive component and is reflected by the at least one reflection surface. The diffractive optical element is configured to receive the light beam reflected from the at least one reflection surface, collimate the light beam, and redirect the light beam out of the refractive component.

Abstract: Apparatus and method can be provided for obtaining at least one anatomical sample. For example, it is possible to provide and insert a housing into a body or provided on a hydrated anatomical structure. Further, with a source, it is possible to emit an electromagnetic radiation which causes at least the anatomical sample(s) to attach to at least one portion of the housing. A compound can be provided on a surface of the housing, and the source provides the radiation to the compound and changes properties thereof to be adhesive. The source can provide the radiation to the housing, and can change properties of a surface thereof to be adhesive. A component can be provided on a surface of the anatomical structure, and the source provides the radiation to the compound and changes properties thereof to be adhesive.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the alignment between a substrate and a platform upon which it is disposed by using image processing algorithms are described herein. These algorithms automate the detection of edges of a microscope slide and the platform in a digital image. A reference line pattern in an image of the platform can be used to detect platform edges based on a computed location of the reference line pattern in the image.

Abstract: A method for optical microscopy, including using a first laser beam to excite dye particles in a sample region with light having a first wavelength. A second laser beam with a second wavelength based on the emission spectrum of the excited particles is used to de-excite the excited particles. The first and second beams have first and second respective intensity distributions which are spatially different when co-aligned; the second profile has a minimum where the first has a maximum. The region is once concurrently illuminated with the first and second beams, and an emission signal is detected. For each scanning point, the region is illuminated also with a pulse of the second laser beam or continuously prior to or after illuminating the region of the sample concurrently with both lasers. The illumination with only the second laser beam defines a background signal that is subtracted from the emission signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods and systems for preparing chromosomal spread for a selected cell so that chromosomal spreads and/or translocations can be correlated with the selected cell.

Abstract: An imaging method is provided that includes: (i) providing a microscope having a lens and an autofocusing camera positioned adjacent to the microscope; (ii) positioning an illumination source adjacent to the microscope; (iii) moving a sample to a predefined offset position and illuminating the sample; (iv) acquiring an image of the illuminated sample via the autofocusing camera; and (v) utilizing a convolution neural network to identify an in-focus position of the sample. The convolution neural network may further include an input layer, output layer, and at least one hidden layer situated between the input and output layers. The hidden layer(s) may be selected from a group consisting of a convolution layer, pooling layer, normalization layer, fully connected layer, and a combination thereof. The convolution neural network may be trained to accurately define the weight to be applied to the layer(s).

Abstract: The invention provides a full-automatic cell culture system, at least comprising: a control module, a control platform, a dark field microscope for on-line observation of cell culture, a cell incubator shaker and a cell culture bag. The control platform is connected to the dark field microscope for on-line observation of cell culture and the cell incubator shaker respectively, and the control module is connected to the control platform. The invention also provides a culture bag support frame for a continuous cell incubator shaker, the continuous cell incubator shaker, a non-contact sensor connector, the cell culture bag and the dark field microscope for on-line observation of cell culture which are related to the full-automatic cell culture system, thereby realizing continuous culture and observation of cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for multi-color imaging using a microscope system. The microscope system can have a relatively small size compared to an average microscope system. The microscope system can comprise various components configured to reduce or eliminate image artifacts such as chromatic aberrations and/or noise from stray light that can occur during multi-color imaging. The components can be configured to reduce or eliminate the image artifacts, and/or noise without substantially changing the size of the microscope system.

Abstract: A reflection phase microscope is disclosed. The reflection phase microscope includes: a light source unit irradiating light; a polarization beam splitter splitting the light irradiated from the light source unit into a sample beam and a reference beam; a sample unit reflecting the sample beam toward the polarization beam splitter; a reference mirror reflecting the reference beam toward the polarization beam splitter; a scanning mirror adjusting the angle of incidence of the light from the light source unit on the polarization beam splitter such that the angle of incidence of the sample beam on the sample unit and the angle of incidence of the reference beam on the reference mirror are adjusted; a diffraction grating diffracting the sample beam reflected by the sample unit and the reference beam reflected by the reference mirror; and an image acquisition unit receiving the beams diffracted by the diffraction grating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to produce a hologram of an object includes an electromagnetic radiation assembly configured to receive a received electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from the object. The electromagnetic radiation assembly is further configured to diffract the received electromagnetic radiation and transmit a diffracted electromagnetic radiation. An image capture assembly is configured to capture an image of the diffracted electromagnetic radiation and produce the hologram of the object from the captured image.

Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus, including: an optical metrology tool configured to measure structures, the optical metrology tool including: an electromagnetic (EM) radiation source configured to direct a beam of EM radiation along an EM radiation path; and an adaptive optical system disposed in a portion of the EM radiation path and configured to adjust a shape of a wave front of the beam of EM radiation, the adaptive optical system including: a first aspherical optical element; a second aspherical optical element adjacent the first aspherical optical element; and an actuator configured to cause relative movement between the first optical element and the second optical element in a direction different from a beam axis of the portion of the EM radiation path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, such as a surgical microscope, in particular a surgical multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a first optical filter (35). The present invention also relates to an observation system (3) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a beam splitter (21) adapted to split a light image (13) into a first light portion (16, 17) along a first light path (18) and a second light portion (20) along a second light path (19).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for drift correction to correct a 3D point collection dataset to compensate for drift over time. The method includes: (a) separating the 3D dataset into n segments, wherein n>1; (b) for each of the n segments, reconstructing a volume image as a 3D histogram in which a count for each voxel in the histogram equals a number of localization estimates falling within the voxel; (c) performing 3D cross-correlation between pairs of the n segments; (d) identifying a correlation peak in a result of the 3D cross-correlation to determine a shift distance between pairs of the n segments; (e) solving an overdetermined system of shift distances to determine independent shifts; and (f) offsetting positions from a plurality of segments in the 3D point collection dataset with the independent shifts calculated in step (e) to correct for drift.

Abstract: A scanning microscope includes a laser configured to emit laser light, an objective configured to focus the laser light on an object, a scanner configured to scan the object in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the objective, a varifocal lens configured to scan the object in an optical-axis direction of the objective by changing a lens shape of the varifocal lens, a first relay lens configured to project the scanner onto the varifocal lens, a second relay lens configured to project a pupil of the objective onto the varifocal lens, a photodetector configured to detect fluorescence generated from the object upon the laser light being focused on the object by the objective, and a dichroic mirror configured to separate the fluorescence and the laser light emitted from the laser from each other. The varifocal lens is located between the objective and the scanner.

Abstract: The present invention relates firstly to a method for acquiring a stack of microscopic images of a specimen. The microscopic images of the stack are acquired from different focus positions. According to the invention, a plurality of the microscopic images of the specimen are respectively acquired from at least some of the focus positions using different settings of an illumination unit for illuminating the specimen. According to the invention, the illumination settings with which the microscopic images of the specimen are acquired is decided upon individually in each case at least for several of the focus positions. The invention further relates to a digital microscope for microimaging a specimen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing a field image of a portion of a target area or region of interest (ROI) of a microscope slide specimen, and of assembly a plurality of field images into an image of the target area, using a SSM having a movable slide stage, an objective lens, a digital video camera and a digital image sensing element (DIS).

Abstract: An arrangement, for light sheet microscopy, including: a sample vessel, for receiving a medium containing a sample, oriented with respect to a plane reference surface; illumination optics with an illumination objective for illuminating the sample with a light sheet; and detection optics with a detection objective. The optical axis of the illumination objective and the light sheet lies in a plane which forms a nonzero illumination angle with the normal of the reference surface. The detection objective has an optical axis that forms a nonzero detection angle with the normal of the reference surface. The arrangement also includes a separating-layer system for separating the sample-containing medium from the illumination and detection objectives. The separating-layer system contacts the medium with an interface parallel to the reference surface. The illumination angle and detection angle are predetermined based on numerical apertures of the detection objective and of the illumination objective, respectively.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for generating two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional objects. The apparatus comprises at least one spatial light modulator device for modulating incident light and an optical system. The optical system is designed and arranged such that a segmentation of wave fields is provided in a plane, where the plane in which the segmentation of the wave fields is provided differs with a plane that comprises object points. Adjacent segmented wave fields do have a mutual overlap. The apparatus also comprises a scanning device which couples light waves into a beam expanding waveguide with outcoupling gratings.

Abstract: A microscope assembly for use in an automated microscope apparatus has a support frame; a cartridge magazine actuator assembly connected to the support frame; a subframe; a plurality of vibration isolators connecting the support frame to the subframe; an XYZ drive connected to the subframe; and an optical stage connected to the subframe. In some embodiments the assembly further includes a cartridge gripper connected to said XYZ drive. In some embodiments, the cartridge magazine actuator assembly includes an input element, an output element, and a transfer assembly interconnecting the input element and the output element, with the transfer assembly configured to linearly advance the output element upon linear depression of the input element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for classifying blood cells in a blood sample are disclosed. A series of frames of the blood sample as it flows through a field of view of an image capture device are captured and analysed. Advantageously, the disclosed systems and methods combine the availability of morphological cell data with the convenience of a flow-through arrangement. The classification results can be used for estimating cell counts in a blood sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for classifying blood cells in a blood sample are disclosed. A series of frames of the blood sample as it flows through a field of view of an image capture device are captured and analysed. Advantageously, the disclosed systems and methods combine the availability of morphological cell data with the convenience of a flow-through arrangement. The classification results can be used for estimating cell counts in a blood sample.

Abstract: A new resonant-cavity-enhanced Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) active optical probe integrates a semiconductor laser source and an aperture AFM/near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) probe in either external-resonant-cavity or internal-resonant-cavity configuration to enable both conventional AFM measurements and optical imaging and spectroscopy at the nanoscale.