Swept, Confocally-Aligned Planar Excitation (SCAPE) Microscopy

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a first set of optical components having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first optical axis, 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, a distal end, and a second optical axis, 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 positioned 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 positioned 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 plurality of lights sources, each having a respective output beam at a respective wavelength;
• at least one optical beam combiner positioned with respect to the plurality of light sources to route the output beams from the plurality of light sources onto a common path of excitation light;
• at least one pair of alignment mirrors, wherein each pair of alignment mirrors is positioned with respect to a respective light source to adjust an alignment of a respective output beam, and wherein the at least one pair of alignment mirrors is configured to facilitate alignment of all the output beams within the sample;
• and
• a third set of optical components configured to expand the output beams into the sheet of excitation light.

An optical component comprising:

• an objective lens for a microscope, wherein the objective lens has a front element;
• and
• a quantity of a UV-curable polymer that has been cured into a clear solid mass, wherein the solid mass has (a) a lower surface that adheres directly to the front element of the objective lens and (b) a flat upper surface,
• wherein the lower surface of the solid mass adheres directly to the front element of the objective lens without relying on a separate adhesive layer positioned between the lower surface of the solid mass and the front element of the objective lens.