Light microscope and method for providing structured illumination light

A method for providing structured illumination light in a light microscope, the method comprises the steps of:

• Guiding light from a light source to an input selection device;
• Variably directing light with the input selection device to one of a plurality of inputs of a waveguide chip which is configured to provide structured illumination from incoming light;
• the waveguide chip further comprising a light guide path following each of the inputs wherein each light guide path divides into several path divisions;
• and each path division leads to one output of the waveguide chip;
• wherein
• light exits the outputs of the waveguide chip in an exit direction which is transverse to a plane defined by the waveguide chip,
• the outputs of the waveguide chip that belong to the same input form a dot pattern, and
• the dot patterns are similar to each other but rotated relative to each other.

A light microscope comprising:

• a structuring optical unit configured for providing a structured illumination from impinging light, the structuring optical unit comprising a waveguide chip with a plurality of inputs;
• an input selection device configured for variably directing light to one of the inputs;
• the waveguide chip further comprising a light guide path following each of the inputs wherein each light guide path divides into several path divisions;
• and each path division leads to one output of the waveguide chip;
• wherein
• an exit direction of light from the outputs is transverse to a plane defined by the waveguide chip,
• for providing a TIR illumination, the waveguide chip comprises one or more additional inputs which each connect to an additional light guide path leading to a respective TIR output of the waveguide chip,
• wherein the outputs of the waveguide chip define a geometric center, and
• wherein each TIR output is further away from the geometric center than any of the outputs of the waveguide chip.