Abstract: An optic system assists visualization of eye elements during ophthalmic surgery. The system has optic devices aimed at affecting light emitted by an ophthalmic microscope for observing an eye during surgery. This affecting can be by selecting the wavelength spectrum of the emitted light, tilting a light path of the emitted light and/or by changing the light path of the emitted light from the source to the eye under surgery.

Abstract: This application concerns a loupe-based wearable device that is enhanced by a mounted visualization aid on the housing body of at least one of the loupe eyepieces, the aid providing a dual light source, a beam splitter, and a camera directed in the same optical path as a user's eyesight such that both visible light and fluorescent dye exciting light can be directed at a site of operation to enhance real time visualization of tissue resection.

Abstract: A laser sensor system including a common optical bench that is configured to receive and process different beams of a high energy laser (HEL). The common optical bench is configured to handle the different beams using a modular set of optical components. Optical components of the common optical bench include a filtering device configured to reduce the power of the beams, a common collecting optical element that is configured to set an imaging position and focal length for the beams, a position sensitive detector (PSD) arrangement that is configured to measure angular and positional errors in the beams, and various compaction optical elements, such as mirrors, that are configured to enable compaction of the laser sensor system by increasing the focal length of the beams.

Abstract: Hardness testers having a pivoting body and capable of providing power to accessories on the pivoting body are disclosed. An example hardness testing device includes: a rotating carriage configured to: hold at least one of an indenter or an objective and at least one accessory; and rotate to selectively place the at least one indenter or objective or the at least one accessory in an operative position to operate the at least one indenter or objective or the at least one accessory; a carriage mount configured to support the rotating carriage; and an electrical contact block mounted stationary with respect to the carriage mount, the electrical contact block comprising a plurality of electrical contacts configured to make electrical contact with a counterpart electrical contact block of the at least one accessory coupled to the rotating carriage when the at least one accessory is positioned in the operative position.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a light sheet microscopic functional unit that illuminates and images a sample in a first operating state with a light sheet-like illumination light distribution, and a scanning microscopic functional unit that illuminates and images the sample in a second operating state with a point-like illumination light distribution. A first scanning element uniaxially scans the sample, in the first operating state, with the light sheet-like illumination light distribution, and uniaxially scans the sample, in the second operating state, with the point-like illumination light distribution. A second scanning element uniaxially scans the sample, in the second operating state, with the point-like illumination light distribution, such that, in the second operating state, the second scanning element generates together with the first scanning element a biaxial scanning of the sample with the point-like illumination light distribution.

Abstract: The present technology provides an irradiation method, a biological substance analysis method, and a biological substance analyzer to improve a throughput while securing signal reliability of detection data when a biological substance is caught on a substrate and the biological substance is detected by irradiating the substrate. For this, the present technology provides a biological substance analysis method and the like including: a step of segmenting a substrate on which a molecule that can be bound to a biological substance is immobilized and the biological substance is bound to the molecule, and irradiating the substrate in accordance with an irradiation pattern having a different segment with time; and a step of analyzing the biological substance on the basis of information obtained from the irradiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating structured illumination images, comprising a housing; imaging optics mounted within the housing, the imaging optics configured to focus illumination from an illumination source such that an in-focus pattern of light corresponding to a pattern on a photomask is projected onto a sample; a reflector mounted within the housing and configured to reflect the illumination to a sample; a filter apparatus, comprising one or more filters mounted within the housing, the filter apparatus configured to allow only emissions from the illuminated sample to pass through to the sensor; and mounting features on the housing, the mounting features configured to allow the apparatus to be installed within an imaging system.

Abstract: A method for optically examining or manipulating a microscopic sample includes positioning the sample in front of a lens which is arranged both in an observation beam path and in an illumination beam path of a microscope which has a main beam splitter which separates the paths. An illumination device is selected depending on the type of sample or examination, or a manipulation of the sample to be carried out. The selected illumination device is coupled in a predefined desired position to a mechanical coupling interface of the microscope. An illumination light from the selected illumination device is directed along the illumination beam path to the main beam splitter and from there to the lens and through the lens onto the sample. No optical component for imaging, focusing and/or defocusing is arranged on a light path of the illumination light between the optical apparatus and the lens.

Abstract: An interchangeable optical module (1) for a microscopic or an endoscopic apparatus, in particular for a fluorescence microscope, includes at least one optical element (2), such as a beam-splitter (3), at least one beam path (B1, B2), in which the at least one optical element (2) is arranged, and at least one optical filter (5) which is arranged in the at least one beam path (B1, B2). A microscopic apparatus includes at least one receptacle for receiving at least one interchangeable optical module (1) as stated above. In order to allow different measurement techniques in one apparatus and to easily change the setup, it is intended that the optical module (1) further includes at least one refractive element (7) which is arranged in the at least one beam path (B1, B2).

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes a dichroic element, an eye tracking system, a controller, and an external focus camera. The dichroic element is transmissive to the light in a first optical band (e.g., visible light) but reflective to light in a second optical band (e.g., IR light). The eye tracking system includes a source assembly and a tracking camera. The source assembly projects light in the second optical band into an eyebox of the HMD. The tracking camera captures images of at least a portion of a user's eye in the eyebox. The controller of the HMD determines a gaze direction of the user based on the captured images. An orientation of the external focus camera corresponds to the gaze direction. The external focus camera captures image data of a portion of a local area surrounding the HMD at the orientation.

Abstract: A novel surgical lens system including a lens and a reflective element. The lens is placed on, or above, a cornea of an eye of a subject for enabling inspection of the eye. The reflective element is incorporated into the lens. The reflective element reflects a light beam toward the eye of the subject. The reflective element increases the divergence of the light beam, such that the divergence of the reflected light beam is larger than the divergence of the light beam. The light beam is emitted by a non-invasive light source positioned externally to the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time optical imaging of a tissue specimen.

Abstract: A method for generating a composite image obtained in a fluorescence imaging system, comprising: determining the physical locations of a pinhole mask relative to a sample required to construct a full composite confocal image; generating in a control module a randomized order for the determined physical locations; moving the photomask or the sample to the determined physical locations in the randomized order under control of the control module and using a translation stage; illuminating the sample through the photomask using an excitation light; capturing a plurality of images at each of the physical locations using a sensor in order to generate a set of data points; using the randomized order to generate a composite image based on the set of data points and measuring the brightness of at least some of the data points; and adjusting the brightness of some of the set of data points.

Abstract: A slit illumination device includes a first light-emitting element, a first diaphragm and a projection lens group. The first light-emitting element generates a primary illumination light. The first diaphragm has at least one opening and is disposed on a light exit side of the first light-emitting element, wherein the opening is an elongate shaped opening. The projection lens group is disposed on a light exit side of the first diaphragm, converging the primary illumination light and projecting it to a target object. A distance from the first diaphragm to the projection lens group is 1-2 times a focal length of the projection lens group on a light entrance side. The foregoing slit illumination device has advantages of simple structure, small size, and longer depth of field. A microscope system including the foregoing slit illumination device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A confocal microscope is provided having an imaging head with an optical system for capturing optically formed microscopic sectional images of a sample, and a boom stand having a platform, a shaft which extends from the platform, and an arm which extends from the shaft, where such arm is coupled to the imaging head. The imaging head has a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion in positioning the arm relative to the shaft, and the imaging head relative to the arm, so that the imaging head in a first mode can be moved to image a first sample, such as ex-vivo tissue specimen mounted on a stage, disposed upon the platform, and in a second mode the imaging head can be moved to image a second sample, such as in-vivo issue, disposed away from or beside the platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a velocity or an inflation rate of a droplet in a microfluidic channel. The droplet is exposed to two or more temporally separated flashes of light, each flash including light of one wavelength band, and imaged using a detector configured to distinguish light in the wavelength bands. Two or more images of the droplet are acquired, each corresponding to one of the flashes, and all within a single video frame or photographic exposure. The images can be processed separately and the position or size of the droplet in each image is calculated. A velocity or inflation rate is then determined by dividing the change in position or size by the amount of time allowed to pass between the flashes.

Abstract: An optical image scanning component is suitable to receive a light provided by a light source of a microscope device and comprises a first scanning unit and a second scanning unit. The first scanning unit comprises a first scanning mirror rotated along a first direction as axis at a first resonance frequency. The second scanning unit comprises a second scanning mirror rotated along a second direction as axis at a second resonance frequency which is different from the first resonance frequency. The light is emitted to the first scanning mirror and reflected to the second scanning mirror, and the light is reflected by the second scanning mirror to be transmitted to an objective lens module of the microscope device.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes: a light source; an illumination optical system configured to illuminate a specimen with light from the light source, the illumination optical system having a spatial light modulation element capable of adjusting a light intensity distribution; an imaging optical system configured to image light from the specimen; a solid-state imaging device configured to generate an image of the specimen based on light from the imaging optical system; and a controller capable of adjusting the spatial light modulation element, the controller being configured to, based on a first image output from the solid-state imaging device when the specimen is illuminated with first illumination light, adjust the spatial light modulation element and illuminate the specimen with second illumination light.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a focus position changing apparatus is provided on an optical path of a confocal optical apparatus having a light source and an objective lens and is configured to change a focus position of the objective lens in an optical axis direction of the objective lens. The focus position changing apparatus includes at least a plurality of optical path changing pieces and a rotating plate. Each of the plurality of optical path changing pieces is differ from each other in at least one of a refractive index and a thickness. On the rotating plate, the plurality of optical path changing pieces is arranged along a rotation direction of the rotating plate so as to cross an optical axis of the objective lens. And an anti-reflection layer is formed in a predetermined region on a surface of the rotating plate on a side of the light source.

Abstract: A device for aligning the optical axis of a camera is disclosed. The optical alignment device comprises a bracket attaching the device to a frame, the frame incorporating a camera system therein, the camera system having an optical axis projecting substantially horizontally from the camera system, a housing comprising a first part fixed to a first side of the bracket; and a second part comprising a prism refracting the optical axis of the camera system based on a power of the prism and a rotation of the prism with respect to the optical axis and a hinge between the first part and the second part, the hinge rotating the second part with respect to the first part.

Abstract: A phase-contrast microscope system includes: an illumination optical system that illuminates a specimen with an illumination light from a light source; an imaging optical system that forms an image of the specimen from a light from the specimen; a first spatial modulation element that is disposed in a position of a pupil of the imaging optical system and changes an amplitude transmittance distribution of the light from the specimen; an image sensor that detects the image of the specimen by the imaging optical system and outputs a picture signal; a calculation section that calculates the amplitude transmittance distribution of the light from the specimen appropriate for observing the specimen on the basis of the output data detected by the image sensor and the amplitude transmittance distribution of the light from the specimen formed by the first spatial modulation element.

Abstract: Irradiance control systems (“ICSs”) that control the irradiance of a beam of light are disclosed. ICSs include in a beam translator and a beam launch. The beam translator translates the beam substantially perpendicular to the propagating direction of the beam with a desired displacement so that the beam launch can remove a portion of the translated beam and the beam can be output with a desired irradiance. The beam launch attenuates the irradiance of the beam based on the amount by which the beam is translated. ISCs can be incorporated into fluorescent microscopy instruments to provide high-speed, fine-tune control over the irradiance of excitation beams.

Abstract: A diaphragm arrangement (100) for generating an oblique illumination in a microscope comprises a carrier element (130), an iris diaphragm element (110) having a variable iris diaphragm opening (111), a further diaphragm element (120) having a diaphragm opening (121) that, when it is in a first position relative to the carrier element (130), covers a portion of the iris diaphragm opening (111) and is mounted rotatably around a first rotation axis (A), such that a rotation of the further diaphragm element (120) around the first rotation axis (A) changes that portion of the iris diaphragm opening (111) which is covered by the further diaphragm element (120), and an actuation element (140) coupled to the further diaphragm element (120) via a coupling device (150) such that a rotation of the further diaphragm element (120) around the first rotation axis (A) is produced by an actuation of the actuation element (140).

Abstract: An illuminating system (21) is provided for an optical viewing apparatus (1) which can be operated in a fluorescence mode. The illuminating system includes at least one broadband light source (31) for illuminating a viewed object (3) and at least one narrowband light source (37) for exciting fluorescence in the viewed object (3) and/or for background illumination in the fluorescence mode. The illuminating system further includes a light conductor (23) having a light source end inlet end (49) and an outlet end (25) facing toward the viewed object. Furthermore, the illuminating system (21, 210) includes a superposer (43) for superposing the light of the narrowband light source (37) with the light of the broadband light source (31). The superposer (43) is mounted at the inlet end (49) or at the light source side ahead of the inlet end (49) of the light conductor (23).

Abstract: An observation system includes: a container holding unit; a ring illumination, including a light source in a ring shape, arranged in a position opposed to an outer bottom surface of a container so that a central axis of the illumination is aligned to that of a bottom surface of the container held by the container holding unit, when an observation target is observed; a first light-shielding plate in a ring shape, having an inner diameter capable of varying, arranged between the illumination and the container holding unit, and configured to shield light from the illumination; a lens, arranged in a position opposed to an inner bottom surface of the container held by the container holding unit, to observe the observation target; and a second light-shielding plate, having an outer diameter capable of varying, arranged in an internal space of the illumination, and configured to shield light from the illumination.

Abstract: Provided is an image-capturing apparatus including a connecting portion having an opening through which a beam coming from an observation device is incident; an optical-path switching portion that switches an optical path of the beam incident along an incident optical axis; image-capturing devices that capture an image of the beam passing along the switched optical path. A first image-capturing device is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the central axis thereof. The optical-path switching portion is provided so as to be pivotable such that a reflecting surface thereof is disposed on or retracted from the incident optical axis. When the reflecting surface is retracted, the beam is incident on a second image-capturing device. When the reflecting surface is disposed, the beam is reflected by the reflecting surface and incident on at least the first image-capturing device.

Abstract: A microscope includes: a first epi-illumination light-source unit to perform fluorescence observation; a second transmitted-illumination light-source unit to perform transmission observation, the second transmitted-illumination light-source unit including a light source provided with a light emitting element that emits excitation light and a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence upon irradiation with the excitation light; and an incidence limiting section configured to limit an incidence of light on the light source from an outside of the second light source unit during a light-off period of the light emitting element. The incidence limiting section is configured to remove an incidence limitation of the light from the outside while the light emitting element is being lit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for microscopy, with at least one light source for providing illumination light, with a detection unit for detecting light radiated back from a sample, with a microscopy optical unit for guiding illumination light onto the sample and for guiding light radiated back from the sample in the direction of the detection unit and with, arranged in an illumination beam path, an excitation mask (40) for providing structured illumination. The device is characterized in that the excitation mask is a spatially structured filter, which is transparent to light with a first physical property and which impresses spatial structure onto light with a second physical property that is different from the first physical property. The invention moreover relates to a method for microscopy.

Abstract: A microscope includes: an objective turret holding a micro and a macro objective for rotation to operational positions along an optical axis; observation optics in an imaging beam path, and an illumination device including a beam splitter for generating an illumination beam path and coupling the illumination beam path into the imaging beam path, the macro objective including a first subsystem attachable to the objective turret, and a second subsystem insertable into the imaging beam path between the turret and the observation optics when the first subsystem is operational, the illumination device allowing a telecentric beam path with an illumination pupil produced by either the micro objective or the macro objective, and adjustment optics in the illumination beam path having positive refractive power and causing the illumination pupil to be shifted to a rear exit pupil, located between the first optical subsystem and the beam splitter, of the macro objective.

Abstract: A microscope includes: an objective lens radiating laser light and illumination light onto a specimen; a first detection optical system detecting first observation light produced from the specimen when the laser light is radiated; a second detection optical system detecting second observation light produced from the specimen when the illumination light is radiated; optical elements placed so as to be capable of being inserted into or removed from a light path of the first detection optical system or the second detection optical system; a rotating turret selectively switching the optical elements to be inserted into the light path; a storage section storing correction information about a relative misalignment between the first observation light and the second observation light caused when the optical elements are switched; and a control section correcting the relative misalignment between the first observation light and the second observation light based on the correction information.

Abstract: Optical switch for adjustable deflection of a light beam from the direction of an input point in the direction of one of several output points. The optical switch includes a switching mirror sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature fluctuations. Also included is a rotatable capturing mirror, two beam splitters, and two spatially-resolving detectors. Both mirrors can be rotated around respective axes. A front beam splitter for the partial coupling of the light beam at the front detector that is optically positioned between the capturing minor and the switching mirror, while the back beam splitter for the partial decoupling of the light beam at the back detector is arranged optically between the switching mirror and each of the output positions. A control unit is adapted to control the drive of the switching mirror on the basis of a signal from the back detector.

Abstract: Imaging systems are provided allowing examination of different object regions spaced apart in a depth direction by visual microscopy and by optical coherence tomography. An axial field of view and a lateral resolution is varied depending on which object region is examined by the imaging system. The proposed imaging systems are in particular applicable for thorough examination of the human eye.

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

Abstract: An illumination device (20) for a microscope (40) has a laser unit (24) that generates at least one broadband laser light pulse (30); light components (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) of different wavelengths of said broadband laser light pulse (30) being offset in time from one another. A compensation unit (36) disposed in the path of the broadband laser light pulse (30) temporally offsets the light components (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) of the broadband laser light pulse (30) in such a way that they exit the compensation unit (36) simultaneously or nearly simultaneously.

Abstract: Laser scanning microscope and method for the operation thereof having at least two detection channels which has at least one beamsplitter with a splitting of the sample light deviating from the 50:50 split and/or, with 50:50 split in the detection channels, has detectors with differently adjusted gain, or in at least one detection channel with equal light splitting has an additional light attenuator.

Abstract: A structured illuminating apparatus includes a branching unit branching an exit light flux from a light source into at least two branched light fluxes, an illuminating optical system making the two branched light fluxes to be respectively collected at mutually different positions on a pupil plane of an objective lens and making the two branched light fluxes to be interfered with each other to illuminate a specimen with an interference fringe of the two branched light fluxes, and an adjusting unit adjusting a height from an optical axis of the illuminating optical system to two collecting points formed on the pupil plane of the objective lens by the two branched light fluxes.

Abstract: Illumination system for a microscope system capable of being mode-switchable between a first and a second illumination mode, comprising one source of light for providing a collimated beam of light, at least one selector mirror capable of being positioned in at least two positions to redirect the beam of light in two different beam paths, the first beam path being a direct exit beam path wherein the selector mirror redirects the beam of light along an exit beam path to provide a first illumination mode, the second beam path is a mirror loop path comprising two or more mirrors arranged to redirect the beam of light onto the selector mirror such that it is redirected by the selector mirror a second time along the exit beam path, and wherein mirror loop path comprises at least one optical element arranged to optically alter the beam of light to provide the second illumination mode.

Abstract: A temporal focusing system is disclosed. The temporal focusing system is configured for receiving a light beam pulse and for controlling a temporal profile of the pulse to form an intensity peak at a focal plane. The temporal focusing system has a prismatic optical element configured for receiving the light beam pulse from an input direction parallel to or collinear with the optical axis of the temporal focusing system and diffracting the light beam pulse along the input direction.

Abstract: A family of microscopes include an illumination device which produces a planar light sheet along an illumination axis of an illumination beam path and a transverse axis normal to the illumination axis. A detection device detects light emitted from the sample region along an axis of detection of a detection beam path. The illumination and detection axes as well as the transverse axis and the axis of detection being oriented relative each other at an angle unequal to zero. A light sheet generator also produces rotationally symmetrical light and includes structure and control for rapidly scanning the sample region along the transverse axis. The illumination device includes a second light sheet generator having a first astigmatically active optical element with at least one astigmatic lens for producing a static sheet of light. Selection elements used to select either the first or the second light sheet or both together to produce the sheet of light.

Abstract: A microscopy system and method allow observing a fluorescent substance accumulated in a tissue. The tissue can be observed at a same time both with visible light and with fluorescent light. It is possible to observe a series of previously recorded fluorescent light images in superposition with the visible light images. An end of the series of images may be automatically determined. A thermal protective filter may be inserted into a beam path of an illuminating system at such automatically determined end of the series. Further, the fluorescent light image may be analyzed for identifying a coherent fluorescent portion thereof. A representation of a periphery line of the coherent portion may be generated, and depths profile data may be obtained only from the coherent portion. An illuminating light beam for exciting the fluorescence may be modulated for improving a contrast of fluorescent images.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly for spectral filtration of light, having a plurality of filters which are permeable to light of different spectral ranges, a filter selection mirror which can be moved for selectable deflection of light to different optical paths to the different filters, and an output mirror which can be moved to guide light coming from one of the filters to an optical path which is the same for all the filters. The optical assembly is characterized according to the invention in that in each case at least one stationary deflection optical system is provided for each of the optical paths to the different filters to guide light from the filter selection mirror to the respective filter and/or light from the respective filter to the output mirror, and the stationary deflection optical systems are arranged so that optical path lengths on the different optical paths from the filter selection mirror to the output mirror are equal.

Abstract: A microscope including an illumination device for a light sheet having an approximately planar extension along an illumination axis of an illumination beam path with a transverse axis to the illumination axis. Light emitted from the sample region on axis of detection the illumination axis and the axis of detection as well as the transverse axis and the axis of detection being oriented relative at an non-zero angle. The illumination device includes structure deflecting light to different beam path and thus produces an additional sheet of light, together illuminating the sample region on common illumination axis, and with switches between beam paths. Detection device has a detection lens system for light from by the sample region. The switches include a rapidly switching element with a time <10 ms, a predetermined integration of the surface detector synchronized so the sample region is illuminated twice during integration.

Abstract: The embodiments of this invention use a multi-point scanning geometry. This design maintains the high frame rate of the slit-scan system and still allows both grayscale and multi-spectral imaging. In a confocal configuration, the multi-point scanning system's confocal performance is close to that of a single point scan system and is expected to yield improved depth imaging when compared to a slit-scan system, faster imaging than a point scan system, and the capability for multi-spectral imaging not readily achievable in a Nipkow disk based confocal system.

Abstract: Fluorescence microscopy systems with polychroic mirror changers are described. In one aspect, a polychroic mirror changer includes a polychroic-mirror array. The array includes a plate with a planar surface and a number of holes formed in the plate. The array also includes polychroic mirrors attached to the planar surface of the plate such that each polychroic mirror covers one of the holes and the reflective surface of each polychroic mirror is adjacent to and aligned with the planar surface of the plate. Each polychroic mirror is partially exposed through a corresponding hole to reflect a different subset of excitation channels of a beam of excitation light input to the changer. The polychroic-mirror array can be mounted in the changer so that when a different subset of excitation channels is selected to illuminate a specimen, the plate is moved within a single plane of motion.

Abstract: A microscope subject illumination system including a position targeting accessory that identifies a point on a subject by a distinctive illumination pattern cast on the subject. The system includes an automatic control to switch between illumination sources so that the distinctive pattern is easier to discern during subject positioning. The control may automatically extinguish the targeting illumination after a configurable period of time.

Abstract: Provided is a protection device including a cover member that is disposed on a stage of a microscope main unit, which is provided with a shutter that can block the entry of laser light into an objective lens from a total-reflection illumination optical system, so as to cover a specimen, and that can be opened and closed; and an open/close sensor that detects open and closed states of the cover member and that outputs a drive signal that causes the shutter to block the laser light when the cover member is detected to be in the open state, wherein the cover member has an opening at, in the closed state, a position away from a track along an optical path of the laser light that has been focused by the total-reflection illumination optical system and that has passed through the specimen.

Abstract: Microscopy techniques in which a rear pupil of an optical system is segmented and the segments are individually controlled with a wavefront modulating device to control the direction and phase of individual beamlets of an excitation or emission beam in the optical system, thereby providing an adaptive optics correction to sample and system induced aberrations.

Abstract: A microscope which makes possible a spectrally-flexible excitation and detection of fluorescence in an economical manner. For this purpose, means for frequency conversion are arranged in the common beam path and a filter for excitation light is arranged in addition to the main beam splitter in the detection beam path. The frequency conversion achieves a spectral delimitation between illumination light, which is emitted by the light source, and excitation light which brings about fluorescence excitation in the specimen. Because the frequency conversion takes place in the common beam path after the main beam splitter, it is possible for both a spatial separation of illumination light, and excitation light and fluorescent light (detection light) emitted by the specimen, to be carried out in an economical manner at the main beamsplitter according to spectral bands because of the spectral difference between illumination light and excitation light.

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

Abstract: An optical-path-switching apparatus according to the present invention includes a reducing optical system capable of guiding signal light and control light along the direction of gravity into a thermal-lens-forming optical element having an incidence plane positioned to be perpendicular to the direction of gravity in such a way as to differentiate respective convergence points in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The apparatus further includes a light-receiving unit configured to converge or condense straight-traveling signal light in the absence of irradiation with the control light and signal light whose optical path has been switched due to irradiation with the control light using the same optical element. Further, the apparatus includes a wedge-type prism provided at a passing position of the optical-path-switched signal light to increase the distance between the optical axis of the optical-path-changed signal light and the optical axis of the straight-traveling signal light.