Abstract: A lighting device for use as a visual indicator in a medical probe is provided. The lighting device includes one or more light emitting elements that are used as a visual status indicator for the medical probe, and a driver circuit that receives current from a power source and drives the light emitting elements. The driver circuit includes a current sensor to sense a current flowing through the light emitting elements, and a shut off switch. The shut off switch shuts off the power source current from the light emitting elements based on the sensed current from the current sensor.

Abstract: A microscope image processing method includes applying a computing operation to at least one part of a microscope image, having the following steps: (a) providing the image in the mass storage device, (b) breaking down the microscope image into at least two image segments that can be loaded into the working memory and that have a dimension m, where m?n, (c) for one image segment, determining all pixels that are located in the image segment and in at least one of the partial images, so that a filled image segment results, (d) providing the filled image segment in the working memory, (e) applying the computing operation to the pixels located in the filled image segment so that an image segment result is created, (f) repeating steps (c), (d), and (e) for all image segments, and (g) combining all image segment results to create an overall result.

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 unit for switchable arranging an arbitrary optical element on an optical path of fluorescence from among a plurality of types of the optical elements that transmit an excitation beam for exciting a sample and fluorescence emitted from the sample; an unit for picking up the observation image via the optical element arranged; and an unit for determining a type of the optical element arranged on the basis of the observation image picked up are prepared in order to provide a microscope image processing device, a program product, a program transmission medium and a method are provided, by which an optical element such as a fluorescence cube set on a fluorescence microscope can be identified on the basis of a detection result of an image pick up device that picks up an image of a sample to be observed by using the fluorescence microscope.

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: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing a monitor or treatment device configured to, for example, detect hemozoin, as well as to monitor or treat a malarial infection.

Abstract: A microscope system improves the operability of a user in performing a microscope observation. The microscope system attains the improvement by including: a microscope apparatus including a plurality of drive units; a display unit for displaying an operation screen for operation of the microscope apparatus; a pointing device for inputting by a pointer an operation instruction to the microscope apparatus on the operation screen; and a control unit for switching the drive units depending on the position of the pointer on the operation screen, and controlling the operation of the switched drive units depending on the operation of the pointing device.

Abstract: An objective-type dark-field illumination device for a microfluidic channel is provided and includes an optical stop having a pair of symmetric curved slits used to adjust the optical path and inner numerical aperture of a dark-field light source generated by the device. The dark-field illumination can focus on a smaller spot to illuminate a sample in the microfluidic channel by matching a pin-hole combined with a transmitter objective lens. The optical path and smaller spot is advantageous to solve the problem of a traditional dark-field illumination that may generate background light noise scattered from inner walls of the microfluidic channel to lower the image contrast. Therefore, the signal or image resolution of capturing the scattered light and/or emitted fluorescent light emitted from the sample in the microfluidic channel can be enhanced. Meanwhile, the device can simultaneously excite and detect multiple fluorescent samples with different excited wavelengths in the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination device (400) for a microscope (600), including at least one light source (120, 130) and a reflector (410) for providing diffuse illumination, said reflector at least partially surrounding the observation beam path (OA1) between a microscope objective (10) and an object (20) to be observed. The reflector (410) is at least partially elastic and capable of being reversibly transformed from at least a first form to at least a second form.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for using modular microscopes is disclosed. Connecting the housings of the individual microscope modules provide the structural framework of the modular microscope. Furthermore, the modular microscope can include specialized software, the distribution and use of which can be controlled using security keys or identifiers stored on one or more of the microscope modules. The security keys and identifiers can be based on calibration data associated with the physical, electrical, or optical properties of one of more of the modules. The illumination modules disclosed provide for selectable wavelengths and controllable levels of output illumination for both bright field and dark field illumination.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to a system and method for obtaining spectra of highly scattering pigmented layers and providing a spectral reflection ratio, which can be correlated to photoreceptor electrical performance. The present embodiments employ the use of dark field microscopy in combination with a noise reducing normalization technique to provide real-time production adjustments to optimize photoreceptor characteristics and/or performance.

Abstract: A system of optics used to provide illumination through an objective at a precise inclination angle and with uniform intensity across an illuminated field. The system provides annular illumination with a continuously variable diameter at the back aperture of an objective. The resultant illumination field at the imaging plane of the objective includes rays with a single inclination angle with respect to the optical axis of the objective. This incidence angle is determined by the position of an axicon lens. The imaging plane is illuminated from 360 degrees rotation about optical axis of the objective.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illuminating device for microscopes, wherein the light source has, in particular, a white light illumination having total daylight spectrum and/or an excitation light source for fluorescent colors. The inventive illuminating device for a microscope consists of surface or spatially arranged light sources, which are connected to a control unit for generating any desired illuminating patterns and illuminating spectrums, and an illuminating optic to image these illuminating patterns on the object to be examined. The light sources consist of LEDs (11) which excite at least one luminescence color (14) which is adapted to the wavelength which is emitted by the LEDs (11). The LEDs (11) are arranged concentrically to the optical axis of the illuminating device, preferably, in or in the vicinity of the aperture diaphragm plane.

Abstract: A microscope, e.g., a surgical microscope, includes an image generation device in the light path or light paths of the microscope. Images based on real-time or static data concerning the object in view, e.g., a patient's MRI data and/or parameters of one or more surgical instruments being used to operate on the patient, are projected into the microscope's light path so the surgeon does not need to look away from the surgical field and does not require other personnel to read outloud the settings and data from the machines being used in the surgery.

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a light source section for emitting a beam of substantially parallel rays, a field lens for collecting the beam of substantially parallel rays, a condenser lens for introducing the beam of rays collected by the field lens onto an illumination target surface, and an aperture stop disposed at an entrance-side focal position of the condenser lens. The aperture stop and the light source are in conjugate positional relationship via the collector lens and the field lens. An optical element having different characteristics between the central region and the outer region is arranged in a path of the substantially parallel rays at a position satisfying the condition: 0.03<|L/fCD|<0.4 where FCD is a focal length of the condenser lens and L is a distance from the illumination target surface to a position that is, of positions on which the optical element is projected, closest to the illumination target surface.

Abstract: Arrangement for microscopic observation and/or detection of a sample that is at least partially transparent by way of a microscope objective, whereby an illumination of the sample outside the objective is carried out from at least from one side at an angle to the optical axis of the objective and the illumination light is focused on the sample with a smaller aperture than that of the viewing objective and that a coupling of the illumination light over a beam splitter, preferably in the objective pupil, is carried out for coupling, at its circumference, slightly expanding transmitting or reflecting areas for steering the illumination light to the sample, but otherwise is designed so that it is reflecting or transmitting for the sample light on the rest of the area.

Abstract: [Summary] [Object] To provide a dark field microscope capable of providing illumination even with a long focal distance condenser lens having a low numerical aperture without the need for a diaphragm for an objective lens, and a method for effectively adjusting its optical axis. [Means for Settlement] In a dark field microscope including: a light source for emitting illumination light; a light collecting optical system including a light collecting side condenser lens for collecting the illumination light from the light source to illuminate an observation sample; and an image forming optical system including an objective lens for receiving scattered light from the observation sample to form a magnified image of the sample, the light collecting side condenser lens is a long focal distance lens, and a light shielding member for shielding the illumination light is provided on a back focal plane or at an image forming center of it in the image forming optical system.

Abstract: An annulus illuminator of microscope is provided. The collimated light pipe produced by a pair of convex and concave cone mirrors of this illuminator provides illumination of darkfield microscopy. Sliding the convex cone mirror along the coaxial track of the cone mirror pair may continuously change the diameter of the collimated light pipe. Furthermore, this invention provides illumination of brightfield microscopy. A 45° rod-mirror is directly attached to the extension rod of the convex cone mirror for transmitting light from the same or an alternative light source of the microscope. Therefore, the present invention provides with dual-illumination function for both brightfield and darkfield microscopy and may be conveniently adapted to commercial microscopes.

Abstract: A reflected dark field structure includes a bottom plate, a support tube, a light unit, a diffuser structure, and a reflector unit that provides reflected dark field illumination, such that a gem held by the support tube and surrounded by the diffuser structure is illuminated and viewable through an aperture in the reflector unit. A method for imaging and analyzing a gem includes placing the gem onto a support tube where it is illuminated with dark field and reflected dark field illumination, and viewing the gem via an aperture located on a top reflector unit, which provides a top cover for the gem. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for obtaining images of a gem includes a dark field stage, a reflector unit, and an image-acquiring device, such that a gem placed in the dark field stage is illuminated, and such that the reflector unit covers the dark field stage and provides reflected dark field illumination, and such that the image-acquiring device is directed towards an aperture in the reflector unit.

Abstract: The present invention serves to vary and adjust the transmitted light illumination in microscopes, particularly with respect to the numerous, different illumination situations. The device, according to the invention comprises modules for darkfield illumination, brightfield illumination, and/or diffuse illumination and/or for adapting the object field in which an illumination unit can be selectively coupled to different modules and in which actuators are provided for implementing the adjustments within the modules and for producing the desired connections, these actuators being operated by means of operating elements of a control unit. The adjustments within the modules and the implemented connections are detected and are stored in the control unit so as to be reproducible. The proposed solution makes possible a broad application by means of an ergonomic arrangement of the operating elements and adjusting and/or changing the illumination situations in a simple and reproducible manner.

Abstract: An annular diaphragm and filter used for the simultaneous observation of darkfield images and fluorescence. The diaphragm has a variable diameter controlled by a lever and a removable filter. The diaphragm is used to adjust the amount of unfiltered incident light which produces darkfield images when directed on a sample. The removable filter is used to filter light to a particular frequency for producing fluorescence images. An Acousto-Optical Tunable Filter, or other such tunable filter may be used with the diaphragm. A method of using the diaphragm and filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: An object lens includes a first optical system that obtains a magnified image of an object, a second optical system that guides dark field illumination light to the object, a barrel that contains the first optical system and the second optical system and has an optical path around the first optical system for the dark field illumination light, and a shield mechanism that is disposed on the optical path and that varies the incident area of the dark field illumination light to shield the dark field illumination light.

Abstract: The invention is based on a microscope (2), in particular a fluorescence analysis microscope, comprising an illumination carrier (20) and illumination units (22a, 22b) arranged thereon for a reflected-light illumination of a sample region (10). In order to be able to illuminate a sample region (10) uniformly in a simple manner by means of a compact device, it is proposed that at least three illumination units (22a, 22b) for the simultaneous reflected-light illumination of the sample region (10) from different directions are arranged on the illumination carrier (20).

Abstract: A light module is provided. The light module applied to a dark field microscope is used for illuminating an object. The light module includes a light beam, a reflection component and a condensing component. The light beam has several lights. The reflection component is used for converting the lights radiating along a beginning direction to a circular beam substantially radiating along the beginning direction. The circular beam passes through the condensing component and is focused on the object. A part of the circular beam passing through the condensing component is scattered by the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to an objective for a microscope for dark field microscopy having alternating illumination with grazing incidence. A dark field objective is shown having a front lens for receiving light from a sample and having a dark field illumination device for guiding illumination light onto the sample, the dark field illumination device comprising at least one pair of light decoupling elements, which are each situated in pairs around the front lens opposite to the optical axis for counter parallel illumination of the sample.

Abstract: An illumination obscurement device for controlling the obscurement of illumination from a light source which is optimized for use with a rectangular, arrayed, selective reflection device. In a preferred embodiment, a rotatable shutter with three positions is placed between a light source and a DMD. The first position of the shutter is a mask, preferably an out of focus circle. This out of focus circle creates a circular mask and changes any unwanted dim reflection to a circular shape. The second position of the shutter is completely open, allowing substantially all the light to pass. The third position of the shutter is completely closed, blocking substantially all the light from passing. By controlling the penumbra illumination surrounding the desired illumination, DMDs can be used in illumination devices without creating undesirable rectangular penumbras.

Abstract: An illumination system for a microscope, including a light source for generating light to illuminate a sample for microscopic observation, at least one collimating lens for collimating light generated by the light source, and a darkfield condenser for receiving collimated light and directing a hollow cone of light onto the sample under observation. The system optionally includes an adapter for enhancing economy of light transmission from the light source to the specimen, the adapter having a centrally disposed spacer and a plurality of optical fibers surrounding the spacer, to generate a hollow cylinder of light for transmission to the darkfield condenser. The system provides improved resolution and contrast, and is well suited for adaptation to fluorescence microscopy techniques.

Abstract: A system of optics used to provide illumination through an objective at a precise inclination angle and with uniform intensity across an illuminated field. The system provides annular illumination with a continuously variable diameter at the back aperture of an objective. The resultant illumination field at the imaging plane of the objective includes rays with a single inclination angle with respect to the optical axis of the objective. This incidence angle is determined by the position of an axicon lens. The imaging plane is illuminated from 360 degrees rotation about optical axis of the objective.

Abstract: The present invention is a dark field illumination system including a light source which is fixed on an entrance slit of a condenser and an objective aligned with the condenser such that the objective and the condenser are adjusted to find a focus spot on a sample. The present invention essentially uses structured illumination to achieve an improved illumination system. The present invention also includes a system and method wherein the objective is coupled to an iris and aligned with the condenser such that when the iris is closed only dark field images are produced, and when the iris is open, direct entrance of light is allowed into the objective and bright field illumination is produced.

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a light source section for emitting a beam of substantially parallel rays, a field lens for collecting the beam of substantially parallel rays, a condenser lens for introducing the beam of rays collected by the field lens onto an illumination target surface, and an aperture stop disposed at an entrance-side focal position of the condenser lens. The aperture stop and the light source are in conjugate positional relationship via the collector lens and the field lens. An optical element having different characteristics between the central region and the outer region is arranged in a path of the substantially parallel rays at a position satisfying the condition: 0.03<|L/fCD|<0.4 where FCD is a focal length of the condenser lens and L is a distance from the illumination target surface to a position that is, of positions on which the optical element is projected, closest to the illumination target surface.

Abstract: An illumination system uses rotatable, polarized illumination optics to detect the direction of highly efficient excitation of fluorescent dyes coupled to a sample, or the absorption transition moment, using information on the direction of maximal fluorescence intensity, in which it is possible to detect individual dynamic changes in the internal structure or orientation of an entire protein molecule by coupling a single fluorescent dye molecule to the protein molecule. The polarized total internal reflection illumination optical system by rotary annulus light is also an illumination optical system in which laser beams are introduced into the objective lens of a microscope at the peripheral region by means of the rotatable illumination direction of the laser beams, and is designed to illuminate by the evanescent field that contains only transverse components that are perpendicular to the direction of radiation from the optical axis of the objective lens.

Abstract: An objective for total internal reflection microscopy includes a diaphragm disposed near to or in the plane of the objective pupil. The diaphragm includes a middle area impermeable to illumination light and permeable to detection light of a microscope, and includes an edge area permeable to the illumination light. The illumination light has a focus in the plane of the objective pupil.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apodization mask that narrows the central lobe of an optical image of a point in a focusing system and suppresses the amplitudes of the sidelobes of the image that are within a predetermined radius of the central axis of the sidelobes, thereby improving resolution of point objects that are relatively close together and presenting better images of small objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) for total internal reflection microscopy. The lens (1) is characterized in that a light source (5, 7) and/or at least one deviating means (31, 3) which deviates the light from a light source (5, 7) into the lens and/or the emitting end (35) of an illuminating optical fiber (37) is arranged in the region of the rear focal plane (3) of the lens (1).

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a light source section for emitting a beam of substantially parallel rays, a field lens for collecting the beam of substantially parallel rays, a condenser lens for introducing the beam of rays collected by the field lens onto an illumination target surface, and an aperture stop disposed at an entrance-side focal position of the condenser lens. The aperture stop and the light source are in conjugate positional relationship via the collector lens and the field lens. An optical element having different characteristics between the central region and the outer region is arranged in a path of the substantially parallel rays at a position satisfying the condition: 0.03<|L/fCD|<0.4 where FCD is a focal length of the condenser lens and L is a distance from the illumination target surface to a position that is, of positions on which the optical element is projected, closest to the illumination target surface.

Abstract: To provide an object lens and a condenser that allow an observation to be performed more microscopically than dark field observation. A plurality of shield plates 8 are rotatably disposed at a fit portion 3a of an object lens 100 in the vertical direction of an optical axis so that the shield plates 5 can be opened/closed. Thus, dark field illumination light that passes through an optical path 5 can be shielded. In addition, the incident area and incident direction of the dark field illumination light to a ring-shaped lens 6 that emits the dark field illumination light to an object can be varied. As a result, microscopic flaws, unevenness, and foreign matter that cannot be detected by the conventional dark field observation can be observed and directional flaws can be observed.

Abstract: An objective lens holder of the present invention includes: (i) a cavity, having an entrance and an exit, which guides, to an objective lens, an incident light beam entering the entrance, the exit being provided on a side of the cavity where the objective lens is housed; and (ii) an aperture having an opening for limiting, to an effective diameter of the objective lens, a beam diameter of the incident light beam passing through the cavity. The cavity is surrounded with internal wall surfaces facing each other so that space between the internal wall surfaces gradually increases from the opening of the aperture toward the entrance or the exit. This makes it possible to provide a highly rigid objective lens holder that allows high speed read/write operations.

Abstract: The objective lens assembly of an optical inspection device is surrounded coaxially of its optical axis by an illuminator housing having therein a central opening surrounded by a circular array of reflective mirror surfaces or facets that are inclined at like angles to the optical axis, and which register with the light emitting of a like circular array of LEDs mounted in the housing in radially spaced, coaxial relation to the mirror facets. Mounted coaxially beneath the illuminator housing for vertical adjustment relative thereto is a generally disc-shaped Fresnel lens. The lens is movable by drive means optionally between an uppermost position adjacent the underside of the housing and a lowermost position adjacent the work that is to be inspected.

Abstract: The invention is directed to illumination optics for an optical device for observing a sample, particularly for TIRF microscopy (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy), wherein the sample is positioned on the side of a carrier glass remote of the illumination optics and the illumination light exiting from the illumination optics is shaped into an illumination beam bundle which encloses an angle not equal to 90° with the normal to the surface of the carrier glass. According to the invention, the illumination optics of the type mentioned above comprise at least two optically active elements which influence the shape and direction of the illumination beam bundle and which are arranged outside of the detection beam path that guides light coming from the sample to a detector. The optically active elements are preferably constructed as annular lenses and are arranged concentrically around the detection beam path.

Abstract: An optical head for confocal microscopy that is especially advantageous for measurements on thick samples is provided. An interface between the optical head and the sample is index matched, to avoid beam aberration at this interface. The optical head includes a window having a convex surface facing away from the sample, so that light beams crossing this convex surface do so at or near normal incidence and are therefore not significantly aberrated. The window is rotationally symmetric about an axis perpendicular to the interface between the head and the sample. The head also includes at least two optical fibers, which can be used for input and/or output. Beams passing to and/or from the fibers are collimated by collimators. A single focusing element couples all the collimated beams to focused beams which pass through the window to intersect within a target region of the sample as confocal beams.

Abstract: A fluorescent microscope comprises a light source, an optical illumination system which forms an optical path to irradiate a specimen with a light beam from the light source, an objective lens which condenses the light beam of the optical illumination system onto the specimen, an optical device which is disposed on the optical path of the optical illumination system and which decenters the light beam by decentering an optical axis of the optical path, and a slit which passes the light beam decentered by the optical device through a total reflection illumination region on an emission pupil surface of the objective lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for total internal reflection microscopy of a sample, comprising a microscope objective lens; an excitation beam path for passing light through the objective lens to said sample; and a coupling element arranged in a back focal plane of the objective lens or in a plane which is conjugate to said back focal plane; said coupling element comprising a first area for relaying light to the objective lens for total internal reflection illumination of said sample and a second area; wherein said second area is capable of separating light emitted by said sample and passing through said excitation beam path in reverse direction from said excitation beam path; wherein said second area is spatially separate from said first area and does not overlap with said first area; and wherein a distance between said optical axis of the objective lens and that boundary of said first area which is nearer to said optical axis of the objective lens is selected such that the light beams passing from said first area into the o

Abstract: A phase contrast x-ray microscope has a phase plate that is placed in proximity of and attached rigidly to the objective to form a composite optic. This enables easier initial and long-term maintenance of alignment of the microscope. In one example, they are fabricated on the same high-transmissive substrate. The use of this composite optic allows for lithographic-based alignment that will not change over the lifetime of the instrument. Also, in one configuration, the phase plate is located between the test object and the objective.

Abstract: A direct-view optical microscope system is provided which uses high-energy light from a phenomenon known as non-resonant Raman scattering to illuminate a living biological specimen. One embodiment of the system combines two discrete light sources to form a combined incident light source for the microscope. The system includes a method and apparatus for modulating the intensity of the scattered light when two light waves are combined to produce the incident light. By varying the frequency of the two source light waves, the intensity of the combined Raman-scattered light can be modulated to achieve finer resolution.

Abstract: A well plate holding a specimen to be observed is placed on a fixed stage, and the specimen is observed through an objective lens disposed below the well plate. A well set on the optical axis is illuminated through transmitted illumination provided by a transmitted illumination device. The transmitted illumination device includes a plurality of LEDs disposed to form a ring shape, and a through hole is formed further inward relative to the LEDs. When injecting a reagent into the well being observed, the reagent is drawn by using a head at a pipette device, and then the head is moved to a point above the well being observed through the hole formed at the transmitted illumination device.

Abstract: A direct-view optical microscope system is provided which uses high-energy light from a phenomenon known as non-resonant Raman-scattering to illuminate a biological specimen. One embodiment of the system combines two discrete light sources to form a combined incident light source for the microscope. The system includes a method and apparatus for modulating the intensity of the scattered light when two light waves are combined to produce the incident light. By varying the frequency of the two source light waves, the intensity of the combined Raman-scattered light can be modulated to achieve finer resolution. In one embodiment, the system provides illumination and observation of microscopic agglutination events between pathogenic antigens and specific antibodies, for prompt detection and identification in the field.

Abstract: A dark field illumination device comprises an illumination light source, which emits illumination light rays, a light shielding plate, which is located between the sample and the illumination light source, and selectively shields the illumination light rays directly entering the observation optical system among the illumination light rays emitted from the illumination light source, an optical member, which directs, toward the sample, the illumination light rays passing outside the illumination light rays shielded by the light shielding plate, and a background member, which is disposed between the sample and the light shielding plate, and has a smooth surface on a side of the sample.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for a microscope comprises a condenser lens for condensing beams of illumination light from a light source and a pin-hole stop. The pin-hole stop has a pin-hole, provided on an optical axis, for transmitting only strong light beams from a central portion of the light source among the illumination light beams condensed by the condenser lens. The pin-hole stop also has a light reducing/illumination area, disposed around the pin-hole in symmetry with respect to the optical axis, for illuminating the periphery of an on-specimen portion illuminated with the light beams passing through the pin-hole with a quantity of light exhibiting a predetermined ratio to a quantity of the light passing through the pin-hole. The same apparatus also comprises an objective lens for converging the illumination light beams passing through this pin-hole stop on a specimen. The pin-hole stop is located in a position substantially conjugate to a pupil plane of the objective lens.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a double confocal scanning microscope having an illuminating beam path (1) of a light source (2) and a detection beam path (3) of a detector (4), and in order to eliminate at their cause the problems of reconstruction methods. To do so, at least one optical component (24, 25) acting on the illuminating and/or detection beam path (1, 3) is provided, and is configured in such a way that it influences the amplitude and/or phase and/or polarization of the light; and the characteristics of the double confocal illumination and/or detection are thereby modifiable.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope having an image sensor (5) for recording the microscope images. The specimen (3) to be examined can be scanned by means of a stop (2) in the beam path of the illumination unit and a positioning unit which moves the specimen (3) or the stop (2). Opening the stop (2) or removing it from the beam path permits the entire image to be scanned with the image sensor (5).