Apparatus for combining light and confocal scanning microscope

US6737635B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Johann Engelhardt · Bad Schönborn, DE
• Juergen Hoffmann · Baden, CH
• Rafael Storz · Heidelberg, DE
• Heinrich Ulrich · Heidelberg, DE
• Joerg Bewersdorf · Bar Harbor, US
• Holger Birk · Meckesheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 3, 2001
• Grant date: May 18, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B27/283
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention concerns an apparatus for combining light from at least two laser light sources, preferably in the context of confocal scanning microscopy, and in order to make laser light sources of low output power usable as light sources, in particular for confocal scanning microscopy, is characterized in that the light from the laser light sources has at least approximately the same wavelength; and that at least one beam combining unit that combines the light beams in at least largely lossless fashion is provided.