Line-scanning, sample-scanning, multimodal confocal microscope
First Claim
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1. A confocal microscope comprising:
- a light source;
a stage adapted to secure a sample thereto;
a plurality of linear array detectors; and
an optical system comprising;
a cylindrical lens positioned so as to receive a first light emitted by the light source and focus the first light in a line upon a selected plane of the sample when secured to the stage;
an objective lens positioned so as to receive a second light from the sample in response to incidence of the first light upon the sample and focus the second light upon at least one of the plurality of linear array detectors;
a first beam splitter positioned to reflect second light fluorescently emitted from the sample onto a first linear detector array of the plurality of linear detector arrays; and
a second beam splitter positioned to reflect second light reflected from the sample onto a second linear detector array of the plurality of linear detector arrays,wherein the second light fluorescently emitted from the sample possesses a wavelength different from that of the first light and wherein the second light reflected from the sample possesses a wavelength approximately the same as that of the first light, andwherein the stage is further adapted to position the sample at about the focal plane of the objective lens and to move the sample with respect to the focused line of the first light.
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Abstract
A confocal microscope is provided that includes one or more lasers focused by an optical system into a line on the surface of a sample mounted to a stage. The microscope further includes at least one linear array detector that is optically conjugated to the focused line. The stage permits movement of the sample with respect to all other components of the microscope, which remain stationary.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A confocal microscope comprising:
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a light source; a stage adapted to secure a sample thereto; a plurality of linear array detectors; and an optical system comprising; a cylindrical lens positioned so as to receive a first light emitted by the light source and focus the first light in a line upon a selected plane of the sample when secured to the stage; an objective lens positioned so as to receive a second light from the sample in response to incidence of the first light upon the sample and focus the second light upon at least one of the plurality of linear array detectors; a first beam splitter positioned to reflect second light fluorescently emitted from the sample onto a first linear detector array of the plurality of linear detector arrays; and a second beam splitter positioned to reflect second light reflected from the sample onto a second linear detector array of the plurality of linear detector arrays, wherein the second light fluorescently emitted from the sample possesses a wavelength different from that of the first light and wherein the second light reflected from the sample possesses a wavelength approximately the same as that of the first light, and wherein the stage is further adapted to position the sample at about the focal plane of the objective lens and to move the sample with respect to the focused line of the first light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of imaging a sample, comprising:
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providing a confocal microscope comprising; a light source; a stage adapted to secure a sample thereto; a plurality of linear array detectors; and an optical system comprising; a cylindrical lens positioned so as to receive a first light emitted by the light source and focus the first light in a line upon a selected plane of the sample when secured to the stage; an objective lens positioned so as to receive a second light from the sample in response to incidence of the first light upon the sample and focus the second light upon at least one of the plurality of linear array detectors; a first beam splitter positioned to reflect second light fluorescently emitted from the sample onto a first linear detector array of the plurality of linear detector arrays; and a second beam splitter positioned to reflect second light reflected from the sample onto a second linear detector array of the plurality of linear detector arrays, wherein the second light fluorescently emitted from the sample possesses a wavelength different from that of the first light and wherein the second light reflected from the sample possesses a wavelength approximately the same as that of the first light, and wherein the stage is further adapted to position the sample at about the focal plane of the objective lens and to move the sample with respect to the focused line of the first light; positioning the stage at a first position, wherein the first light is focused in a line upon a first selected plane of the sample; measuring, by at least one of the plurality of linear array detectors, an intensity as a function of time for the second light focused upon the first selected focal plane of the sample; positioning the stage at second position, different from the first position, wherein the first light is focused in a line upon a second selected plane of the sample; and measuring, by at least one of the plurality of linear array detectors, an intensity as a function of time for the second light focused upon the second selected focal plane of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification