Three-dimensional imaging using swept, confocally aligned planar excitation and a customized image splitter

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a first set of optical components having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first set of optical components includes a first objective disposed at the distal end of the first set of optical components;
• a second set of optical components having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the second set of optical components includes a second objective disposed at the distal end of the second set of optical components;
• a scanning element that is disposed proximally with respect to the proximal end of the first set of optical components and proximally with respect to the proximal end of the second set of optical components,
• wherein the scanning element is arranged to route a sheet of excitation light so that the sheet of excitation light will pass through the first set of optical components in a proximal to distal direction and project into a sample that is positioned distally beyond the distal end of the first set of optical components, wherein the sheet of excitation light is projected into the sample at an oblique angle, and wherein the sheet of excitation light is projected into the sample at a position that varies depending on an orientation of the scanning element,
• wherein the first set of optical components routes detection light from the sample in a distal to proximal direction back to the scanning element, and
• wherein the scanning element is also arranged to route the detection light so that the detection light will pass through the second set of optical components in a proximal to distal direction and form an intermediate image plane at a position that is distally beyond the distal end of the second set of optical components;
• a third objective arranged to route light arriving from the intermediate image plane to an infinity space, wherein the intermediate image plane is disposed in front of the third objective and the infinity space is disposed behind the third objective;
• a first beam splitter positioned in the infinity space, wherein the first beam splitter is arranged to route light from the intermediate image plane having a first wavelength in a first direction and to route light from the intermediate image plane having a second wavelength in a second direction, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction and wherein the first wavelength is longer than the second wavelength;
• a first light detector array arranged to capture first-wavelength images;
• a second light detector array arranged to capture second-wavelength images;
• and
• a third set of optical components arranged to route the light having the first wavelength that exits the first beam splitter towards the first light detector array and route the light having the second wavelength that exits the first beam splitter towards the second light detector array.