Illumination Device for a Microscope

A method for illuminating an object which is located in an object region of a microscope having observation optics including an objective with a variable working distance between the objective and an object plane and having an optical axis, comprising:

• providing a light source that emits light that selectively follows multiple light paths;
• splitting the light into at least two beam paths having optical axes;
• and
• directing the at least two beam paths to the object plane so that the at least two beam paths intersect the object plane and define respective angles with respect to the optical axis of the observation optics, wherein a change from one of the multiple light paths to another changes the respective angles and the working distance;
• and
• providing a deviating optic having at least two at least partially reflective surfaces, wherein at least one of the beam paths reflects at each of the at least two reflective surfaces and wherein the at least two partially reflective surfaces are in the same position and orientation with respect to the objective at multiple working distances.

An illumination device for a microscope having observation optics including an objective with a variable working distance between the objective and an object plane and having an optical axis, comprising:

• a light source that emits light that follows a light path;
• at least one deviating optic having at least two at least partially reflective surfaces;
• and
• at least one deflecting optic in the light path between the light source and the at least one deviating optic so that the at least one deflecting optic directs light from the light source to the at least one deviating optic so that the at least one deviating optic splits the light into at least two beam paths having optical axes that intersect the object plane and that define respective angles with respect to the optical axis of the observation optics,
• wherein the at least one deflecting optic is adjustable with respect to the light source to thereby shift the light path and change the respective angles and the working distances,
• wherein the at least two at least partially reflective surfaces are in the same position and orientation with respect to the objective at multiple said working distances, and
• wherein at least one of the beam paths reflects at each of the at least two reflective surfaces.

A microscope, comprising:

• observation optics having an objective with a variable working distance between the objective and an object plane and having an optical axis;
• a light source that exits light that selectively follows multiple light paths;
• and
• at least one deviating optic having at least two at least partially reflective surfaces,
• wherein, for each of the multiple light paths, the at least one deviating optic splits the light into at least two beam paths having optical axes that intersect the object plane and that define respective angles with respect to the optical axis of the observation optics,
• wherein a change from one of the multiple light paths to another changes the respective angles and the working distance,
• wherein the at least two partially reflective surfaces are in the same position and orientation with respect to the objective at multiple working distances, and
• wherein at least one of the beam paths reflects at each of the at least two reflective surfaces.