Illumination device and illumination method for a scanning microscope
AssigneeLeica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
InventorWerner Knebel
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Abstract
When specimens are illuminated in a scanning microscope, it is often necessary to use radiations of different wavelengths in order to examine the sample. A device and a method for illumination of specimens in a scanning microscope is proposed, a laser being used to generate a laser beam, and an optical system being used to image the laser beam onto the specimen. The optical system comprises a switchable beam deflection device that can direct the laser beam onto the specimen either along a first beam path or along an alternative beam path. In addition, a device for frequency conversion is arranged in the beam path of the alternative beam path.
Claims25
An illumination device for a scanning microscope comprises:
- an illumination source for generating a laser beam;
- a switchable beam deflection device which directs, in a first switching state, the laser beam along a frequency preserving beam path, and in a second switching state, along an alternative beam path;
- and
- a device for frequency conversion of the laser beam is arranged in the beam path of the alternative beam path.
An illumination device for a scanning microscope comprises:
- an illumination source for generating a laser beam;
- a plurality of switchable beam deflection devices, wherein each of which directs, in a first switching state, the laser beam along a frequency preserving beam path, and in a second switching state, along an alternative beam path and the plurality of switchable beam deflection devices and multiple alternative beam paths are provided in parallel with one another;
- and
- a device for frequency conversion of the laser beam arranged on each beam path of the alternative beam path.
A scanning microscope comprises:
- a two photon port and a one-photon port;
- an illumination source for generating a laser beam;
- at least one switchable beam deflection device which directs, in a first switching state, the laser beam along a first beam path to the two photon port, and in a second switching state, along an alternative beam path (54) to the one-photon port;
- and
- a device for frequency conversion of the laser beam is arranged in the beam path of the alternative beam path.
A method for illumination of a specimen in a scanning microscope wherein the scanning microscope has a two photon port and a one-photon port, comprising the steps:
- providing a laser which defines an illumination source for the specimen;
- directing the laser beam is directed onto a switchable beam deflection device;
- directing the laser beam from the switchable beam deflection device in substantially unattenuated fashion along a first beam path to the two photon port or in substantially unattenuated fashion along an alternative beam path to a one-photon port;
- modifying the laser beam, prior to the one-photon port, along the alternative beam path with respect to its frequency;
- and
- passing laser beam onto the specimen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.