ARRANGEMENT FOR EXAMINING MICROSCOPIC PREPARATIONS WITH A SCANNING MICROSCOPE, AND ILLUMINATION DEVICE FOR A SCANNING MICROSCOPE

• US 20090086315A1
• Filed: 12/09/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: STORZ, Rafael, BIRK, Holger
• Granted Patent: US 7,679,822 B2
• 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: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0205 Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/1256 using acousto-optic tunable filter; acousto-optic elements or systems G02F1/11, G02F1/33
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/002 Scanning microscopes scanning near field optical microscopes G01Q60/18
• 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 6/2552 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: G02F 1/3528 for producing a supercontinuum
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/353 Frequency conversion, i.e. wherein a light beam is generated with frequency components different from those of the incident light beams
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/32 Photonic crystals
• 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 for use in microscopy 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;

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;

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

wherein the attenuator comprises at least one of a spectrally selective filter, an acoustooptical tuneable filter (AOTF), an acoustooptical deflector (AOD) and an LCD, and

wherein the laser comprises a pulsed laser; and

a control loop for light output stabilization, which measures the light output in the beam path of the imaging optics and which maintains a constant specimen illumination light output by varying pumping light output of the pulsed laser or with the aid of an acoustooptical or electrooptical element.

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 system comprises a microscope.