DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND POSITIONING A SAMPLE RELATIVE TO A MICROSCOPE LENS
An arrangement for holding and positioning a sample in the detection area of the objective of a microscope, the detection area being located in a chamber which is filled with an immersion liquid. This arrangement includes (1) a sample holder to which the sample is affixed so as to lie upon a point P in a coordinate system X, Y, Z, coordinate Z being defined by the optical axis of the microscope objective and the coordinate origin laying within the detection area, (2) a device by which the position of point P can be varied within the coordinate system X, Y, Z, wherein the range of variation comprehends the detection area, and (3) a device for rotating the sample affixed to the sample holder around point P, wherein a straight line G which encloses with coordinate Z an angle α whose size can be changed is the axis of rotation.
1 . An arrangement configured to hold and position a sample in a detection area of an objective of a microscope, where the detection area is located in a chamber which is filled with an immersion liquid, the arrangement comprising:
a sample holder configured so that the sample may be affixed thereto so that the sample lays upon a point P in a coordinate system X, Y, Z;
wherein coordinate Z is defined by the optical axis of the microscope objective; and
wherein the coordinate origin lies within the detection area;
a device configured to vary the position of point P, including the sample affixed to the sample holder, within the coordinate system X, Y, Z;
wherein the range of variation comprehends the detection area; and
a device configured to rotate the sample affixed to the sample holder around point P;
wherein a straight line G, which encloses with coordinate Z an angle α whose size can be changed, is the axis of rotation.
2 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a device configured to displace the sample holder, including the sample affixed thereto, along the straight line G, where the vertex of angle α is included in the displacement path of the sample holder; and
a device configured to displace the position of the vertex of angle α in direction of coordinate Z, where the detection area is included in the displacement path of the vertex of angle α.
3 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a device configured to vary the size of angle α.
4 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a swiveling device configured to vary the angle β enclosed by coordinate Z and the plane E in which angle α lies, where a swiveling axis of the swiveling device intersects coordinate Z at right angles.
5 . The arrangement according to claim 4 ;
wherein the variation of the size of angle β is provided within a range of β=±90°.
6 . The arrangement according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a device configured to rotate the swiveling device by an angle γ around an axis parallel to coordinate Z.
7 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a device configured to displace the position of point P, including the sample affixed to the sample holder, in direction of coordinate X and/or in direction of coordinate Y.
8 . The arrangement according to claim 1 ;
wherein the sample holder is constructed in the form of a pin or a hollow cylinder, where a center axis of the pin or hollow cylinder lies in the straight line G.
9 . The arrangement according to claim 8 ;
wherein the sample holder is constructed in the form of a hollow cylinder, and is configured to hold the sample because of a below-atmospheric pressure prevailing in the interior of the hollow cylinder.
10 . The arrangement according to claim 9 ;
wherein a hollow space of the hollow cylinder communicates with a vacuum pump or with a displaceable suction-and-pushing piston so as to generate the negative pressure.
11 . The arrangement according to claim 8 ;
wherein the sample holder is constructed in the form of a pin, and is configured to affix the sample to an end of the pin by impaling the sample on the pin.
12 . The arrangement according to claim 8 ;
wherein the sample holder is constructed in the form of a pin, and is configured to affix the sample to an end of the pin by means of a clamp.
13 . The arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a hydro gel which is configured to enclose one or more samples affixed to the sample holder.
14 . The arrangement according to claim 1 ;
wherein the device for changing the size of the angle α has a sliding guide with a guide curve which is curved in a half-circle around the vertex of angle α.
15 . The arrangement according to claim 14 ;
wherein the sliding guide is constructed as a subassembly of the swiveling device for varying angle β.
16 . The arrangement according to claim 1 ;
wherein an illumination beam path shaped as a light sheet is configured to be directed to the sample in the direction of coordinate X or coordinate Y in order to illuminate the sample.