Apparatus for illuminating a specimen and confocal fluorescence scanning microscope
AssigneeLeica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
InventorJuergen Hoffmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for illuminating a specimen (1), preferably in confocal fluorescence scanning microscopy is disclosed. Two illumination beam paths (2, 4) are combined with a beam splitter (6) in order to simplify alignment and reduce the optical components in the illumination beam path. The at least one optical component (7) is arranged at least in one of the illumination beam paths (2, 4) and modifies the light; and that the optical properties of the component (7) can be influenced or modified in such a way that the illumination pattern of the illumination beam path (2, 4) in the specimen region changes shape.
Claims16
An apparatus for illuminating a specimen (1), having one light source (3) defining an illumination beam path (2), at least one further light source (5) defining a further illumination beam path (4), a beam splitter (6) for combining the illumination beam paths (2, 4) and at least one optical component (7) being arranged at least in one of the illumination beam paths (2, 4) for modifying the light possessing a phase, an amplitude and a polarization, wherein the optical component (7) has properties which are influenced or modified in such a way that a defined illumination pattern of the illumination beam path (2, 4) in the specimen region changes shape.
A confocal fluorescence scanning microscope, having one light source (3) defining an illumination beam path (2), at least one further light source (5) defining a further illumination beam path (4), a beam splitter (6) for combining the illumination beam paths (2, 4), at least one optical component (7) being arranged at least in one of the illumination beam paths (2, 4) for modifying the light possessing a phase, an amplitude and a polarization, wherein the optical component (7) has properties which are influenced or modified in such a way that a defined illumination pattern of the illumination beam path (2, 4) in the region of a specimen (1) changes shape, and an objective for imaging at least one of the illumination beam on the specimen (1).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.