Arrangement for examining microscopic preparations with a scanning microscope, and illumination device for a scanning microscope

• US 20070035822A1
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Storz, Rafael, Birk, Holger
• Application Number:
  US11/580,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20070035822A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/385
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/002 Scanning microscopes scanning near field optical microscopes G01Q60/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0024 Confocal scanning microscopes (CSOMs) or confocal "macroscopes"; Accessories which are not restricted to use with CSOMs, e.g. sample holders
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0032 Optical details of illumination, e.g. light-sources, pinholes, beam splitters, slits, fibers G02B21/0036 - G02B21/008; means for illumination of specimens in general G02B21/06
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0056 based on optical coherence, e.g. phase-contrast arrangements, interference arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0064 multi-spectral or wavelength-selective arrangements, e.g. wavelength fan-out, chromatic profiling G02B21/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0076 arrangements using fluorescence or luminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/008 Details of detection or image processing, including general computer control
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02366 Single ring of structures, e.g. "air clad"
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02371 Cross section of longitudinal structures is non-circular
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02376 Longitudinal variation along fibre axis direction, e.g. tapered holes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1225 comprising photonic band-gap structures or photonic lattices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2552 reshaping or reforming of light guides for coupling using thermal heating, e.g. tapering, forming of a lens on light guide ends
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/005 Optical devices external to the laser cavity, specially adapted for lasers, e.g. for homogenisation of the beam or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping shaping laser beam for working metal or other materials B23K26/06; optical elements, systems or apparatus in general G02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/1625 titanium
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/1636 Al2O3 (Sapphire)

Abstract

The arrangement for examining microscope preparations with a scanning microscope comprises a laser (1) and an optical means (12) which images the light generated by the laser (1) onto a specimen (13) that is to be examined. Provided between the laser (1) and the optical means (12) is an optical component (3, 20) that spectrally spreads, with a single pass, the light generated by the laser (1). The optical component (3, 20) is made of photonic band-gap material. It is particularly advantageous if the photonic band-gap material is configured as a light-guiding fiber (20).

Claims

1. An optical system comprising:

a laser configured to generate light having a wavelength range;

imaging optics configured to image light generated by the laser onto an image plane; and

an optical component positioned between the laser and the imaging optics,

wherein the light generated by the laser passes through the optical component, and

wherein the optical component is configured to increase said wavelength range of said light to a substantial portion of the entire visible wavelength range.

2. An optical system as defined in claim 1, wherein the optical component comprises photonic band-gap material.

3. An optical system as defined in claim 2, wherein the photonic band-gap material is configured as a light-guiding fiber.

4. An optical system as defined in claim 1, wherein the optical component comprises a tapered light-guiding fiber.

5. An optical system as defined in claim 1, wherein the laser comprises a pulsed laser.

6. An optical system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an attenuator for attenuating at least a portion of at least one wavelength of the light emerging from the optical component arranged after the optical component.

7. An optical system as defined in claim 6, wherein the attenuator comprises at least one of a spectrally selective filter, a dichroic filter, an acoustooptical tunable filter (AOTF), an acoustooptical deflector (AOD), and an LCD attenuator.

8. An optical system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a microscope.

25. An optical system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a control loop for light output stabilization.

9. An optical system comprising:

a laser configured to generate light having a wavelength range;

optics to image light generated by the laser onto an image plane;

an optical component positioned between the laser and the optics, wherein the light generated by the laser passes through the optical component, and wherein the optical component is configured to increase said wavelength range of said light to a substantial portion of the entire visible wavelength range; and

an attenuator for attenuating at least a portion of at least one wavelength of light emerging from the optical component.

10. An optical system as defined in claim 9, wherein the optical component comprises photonic band-gap material.

11. An optical system as defined in claim 10, wherein the photonic band-gap material is configured as a light-guiding fiber.

12. An optical system as defined in claim 9, wherein the optical component comprises a tapered light-guiding fiber.

13. An optical system as defined in claim 9, wherein the laser comprises a pulsed laser.

14. An optical system as defined in claim 9, wherein the attenuator is arranged after the optical component.

15. An optical system as defined in claim 9, wherein the attenuator comprises at least one of a spectrally selective filter, a dichroic filter, an acoustooptical tunable filter (AOTF), an acoustooptical deflector (AOD), and an LCD attenuator.

16. An optical system as defined in claim 9, wherein the system comprises a microscope.

26. An optical system as defined in claim 9, further comprising a control loop for light output stabilization.

17. An optical system comprising:

an optical component positioned between a light source and optics, wherein light generated by the light source passes through the optical component, and wherein the optical component is configured to increase a wavelength range of said light to a substantial portion of the entire visible wavelength range; and

an optical element arranged after the optical component to remove at least a portion of at least one wavelength of the light emerging from the optical component.

18. An optical system as defined in claim 17, wherein the optical component comprises photonic band-gap material.

19. An optical system as defined in claim 18, wherein the photonic band-gap material is configured as a light-guiding fiber.

20. An optical system as defined in claim 17, wherein the optical component comprises a tapered light-guiding fiber.

21. An optical system as defined in claim 17, wherein the light source comprises a pulsed laser.

22. An optical system as defined in claim 17, wherein the optical element comprises at least one of a spectrally selective filter, a dichroic filter, an acoustooptical tunable filter (AOTF), an acoustooptical deflector (AOD), and an LCD attenuator.

23. An optical system as defined in claim 17, wherein the system comprises a microscope.

24. An optical system as defined in claim 17, wherein the optical component comprises a light-guiding fiber.

27. An optical system as defined in claim 17, further comprising a control loop for light output stabilization.