Optical microscope
An optical microscope ( 10 ) comprising a first optical microscope (R); and a second optical microscope (Q) with a different mode of operation to the first optical microscope (R). The optical microscope ( 10 ) is configured such that the first optical microscope (R) and the second optical microscope (Q) simultaneously view a sample on a sample stage (I).
1. An optical microscope comprising:
a first optical microscope that uses a first light source;
a second optical microscope with a different mode of operation to the first optical microscope, wherein the second optical microscope uses a second light source;
an objective lens, wherein the first light source and the second light source pass through the objective lens;
wherein the objective lens has a numerical aperture of at least 1.37; and
wherein the optical microscope is configured such that the first optical microscope and the second optical microscope simultaneously view a sample.
2. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the first light source is different to the second light source.
3. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the optical microscope is configured such that a sample for imaging is located below the objective lens.
4. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the optical microscope is a high resolution optical microscope or a super resolution optical microscope.
5. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the first optical microscope is a confocal microscope.
6. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the second optical microscope is a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope.
7. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the optical microscope is housed in a single housing.
8. An optical microscope according to claim 7 , wherein the single housing is in one and only one piece.
9. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein a computer of the optical microscope is configured to capture and store a plurality of images of a sample over time.
10. An optical microscope according to claim 9 , wherein the computer processes the plurality of images to provide an output image.
11. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the second optical microscope is used to correct drift from the first optical microscope.
12. An optical microscope according to claim 9 , wherein the second optical microscope is used to correct drift from the first optical microscope and/or the sample in an X,Y plane or horizontal plane based on the stored plurality of images of the sample over time.
13. An optical microscope according to claim 11 , wherein the second optical microscope is used to correct drift from the first optical microscope and/or sample using at least one reference element located relative to the sample.
14. An optical microscope according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one reference element has a diffraction limited intensity distribution of emitted light.
15. An optical microscope according to claim 1 , wherein the first optical microscope is used to correct drift from the first optical microscope and/or the sample in a Z direction or a vertical direction.
16. An optical microscope according to claim 13 , further comprising a beam splitter and at least two detectors configured to detect light from the sample split by the beam splitter from the first optical microscope.
17. An optical microscope comprising:
a first optical microscope; and
a second optical microscope with a different mode of operation to the first optical microscope;
wherein the optical microscope is configured such that the first optical microscope and the second optical microscope simultaneously view a sample;
wherein a computer of the optical microscope is configured to capture and store a plurality of images of a sample over time; and
wherein the second optical microscope is used to correct drift from the first optical microscope and/or the sample in an X,Y plane or a horizontal plane based at least in part on the stored plurality of images of the sample over time.
18. An optical microscope comprising:
a first optical microscope;
a second optical microscope with a different mode of operation to the first optical microscope;
wherein the optical microscope is configured such that the first optical microscope and the second optical microscope simultaneously view a sample; and
wherein the second optical microscope is used to correct drift from the first optical microscope and/or sample using at least one reference element located relative to the sample.
19. An optical microscope comprising:
a first optical microscope;
a second optical microscope with a different mode of operation to the first optical microscope;
wherein the optical microscope is configured such that the first optical microscope and the second optical microscope simultaneously view a sample; and
wherein the first optical microscope is used to correct drift from the first optical microscope and/or the sample in a Z direction or a vertical direction.