IP Library Granted Patent US 6,977,773
Granted Patent B2
US 6,977,773 · App. 10/766,260 · Granted Dec 20, 2005

Scanning microscope and coupling-out element

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,977,773
App. No.
10/766,260
Granted
Dec 20, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A scanning microscope has a light source that emits illuminating light for illumination of a specimen, at least one first detector for detection of the detected light proceeding from the specimen, an objective arranged in both an illumination beam path and a detection beam path, and a coupling-out element that is selectably for descan detection and non-descan detection positionable in the illumination and detection beam path. A light-guiding fiber is provided for transporting at least a portion of the detection light from the coupling-out element to the first detector.

Claims (21)

1. A scanning microscope comprising:

a light source for emitting illuminating light for illumination of a specimen,

at least one first detector for descan detection of detection light proceeding from the specimen,

an objective arranged in both an illumination beam path and a detection beam path,

a coupling-out element insertable into the illumination and detection beam path for non-descan detection, and removable from the illumination and detection beam path for descan detection, and

a light-guiding fiber for transporting at least a portion of the detection light from the coupling-out element to the first detector.

2. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 1 further comprising: at least one guidance element for positioning the coupling-out element.

3. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 1 further comprising: at least one banking element for positioning the coupling-out element.

4. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 1 , further comprising: a turret or a sliding carriage, on which the coupling-out element is mounted.

5. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 1 , wherein the coupling-out element comprises a beam splitter.

6. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 1 , wherein the coupling-out element comprises an excitation filter for blocking light of at least one wavelength out of the illuminating beam path.

7. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 1 , wherein the coupling-out element comprises a detection filter for blocking light of at least one wavelength out of the detection beam path.

8. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a fluorescent incident-light illuminator in which the coupling-out element is positionable.

9. A coupling-out element for a scanning microscope, the scanning microscope including a light source for emitting illuminating light for illumination of a specimen and at least one first detector for descan detection of detection light proceeding from the specimen, the coupling element being insertable into an illumination and detection beam path of the scanning microscope for non-descan detection, and being removable from the illumination and detection beam path for descan detection, the coupling-out element comprising a light-guiding fiber for transporting at least a portion of detection light to the at least one first detector.

10. The coupling-out element as defined in claim 9 , wherein the coupling-out element is positionable in a turret.

11. The coupling-out element as defined in claim 9 , wherein the coupling-out element is positionable in a sliding carriage.

12. The coupling-out element as defined in claim 9 , wherein the coupling-out element is positionable in a fluorescent incident-light illuminator.

13. The coupling-out element as defined in claim 9 further comprising guidance and/or banking elements for positioning of the coupling-out element.

14. The coupling-out element as defined in claim 9 further comprising: an excitation filter for blocking light of at least one wavelength out of the illumination beam path.

15. The coupling-out element as defined in claim 9 further comprising: a detection filter for blocking light of at least one wavelength out of the detection beam path.

16. The coupling-out element as defined in claim 9 further comprising: an optical system.

Assignments (1)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2006
From: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS HEIDELBERG GMBH
To: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 017996/0809 →