Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for scanning along a continuous scanning trajectory with a scanner system (100) comprising a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors (10) for deflecting a focal spot of an electromagnetic beam generated by a consecutive lens system (200) defining an optical axis (z) in an x-z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors (20) for deflecting the focal spot in a y-z plane being substantially perpendicular to the x-z plane, characterised by changing the acoustic frequency sweeps with time continuously in the deflectors (12, 12′) of the first pair of deflectors (10) and in the deflectors (22, 22′) of the second pair of deflectors (20) so as to cause the focal spot to move continuously along the scanning trajectory.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a compensator system adapted to compensate for the angular dispersion of electromagnetic beams deflected by at least one acousto-optic deflector of an optical system, wherein the angular dispersion of each deflected beam is dependent on the deflection angle obtained by the deflecting acoustic frequency of the acousto-optic deflector, characterized in that the compensator system comprises: —a first lens group for spatially separating the deflected beams of different deflection angle and angular dispersion by focusing the beams substantially into the focal plane, —a compensator element having a first surface and a second surface, and being arranged such that the first surface of the compensator element lies substantially in the focal plane of the first lens group, and the first and second surfaces of the compensator element have nominal radiuses R1 and R2 that together work as prisms with tilt angles β and prism opening angles αp that vary with the distance from the optical axis so as to compensate for the angular dispersion of the spatially separated deflected beams, —a second lens group arranged so as to substantially parallelize the different wavelength components of each deflected beam exiting the compensator element while maintaining the angular variation of the beams deflected at different acoustic frequencies. The invention further relates to method for compensating for the angular dispersion of electromagnetic beams deflected by at least one acousto-optic deflector of an optical system, wherein the angular dispersion of each deflected beam is dependent on the deflection angle obtained by the deflecting acoustic frequency, characterized by —spatially separating the deflected beams of different deflection angle and angular dispersion by focusing the beams via a first lens group substantially into the focal plane of the first lens group, —compensating for the angular dispersion of the spatially separated deflected beams in accordance with the angular dispersion of the given beam, —substantially parallelizing the spectral components of each deflected beam while maintaining the angular variation of the beams deflected at different acoustic frequencies.
Abstract:
A focusing system for focusing an electromagnetic beam for three-dimensional random access applications comprises a first pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in an X-Z plane, and a second pair of acousto-optic deflectors for focusing an electromagnetic beam in a Y-Z plane substantially perpendicular to the X-Z plane. The second pair of acousto-optic deflectors is arranged between the acousto-optic deflectors of the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors such that the first and fourth acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the first pair of acousto-optic deflectors and the second and third acousto-optic deflectors of the system belong to the second pair of acousto-optic deflectors.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an acousto-optic deflector comprising a bulk of acousto-optic medium and acoustic wave generator coupled to the bulk, characterised by that the acoustic wave generator comprises at least two different electro-acoustic transducers for generating acoustic waves in the bulk.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a compensator system adapted to compensate for the angular dispersion of electromagnetic beams deflected by at least one acousto-optic deflector. The compensator system comprises: - a first lens group for spatially separating the deflected beams of different deflection angle and angular dispersion, - a compensator element having a first surface and a second surface that together work as prisms with tilt angles .beta. and prism opening angles ap that vary with the distance from the optical axis so as to compensate for the angular dispersion of the spatially separated deflected beams, - a second lens group arranged so as to substantially parallelise the different wavelength components of each deflected beam while maintaining the angular variation of the beams deflected at different acoustic frequencies. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for compensating for the angular dispersion of electromagnetic beams deflected by an acousto-optic deflector.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an acousto-optic deflector comprising a bulk of acousto-optic medium and acoustic wave generator coupled to the bulk, characterised by that the acoustic wave generator comprises at least two different electro-acoustic transducers for generating acoustic waves in the bulk.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a laser scanning microscope (10) for scanning a sample, the microscope having focusing means (15) having a focal plane (29) and comprising at least one optical element for focusing a laser beam (13), drive means (18) for displacing the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15), at least one detector means (24′) for detecting light (13′) reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light (13′) emitted by the sample, characterised by the detector means (24′) being connected to the drive means (18) such that the drive means (18) may simultaneously displace the detector means (24′) with the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15). The present invention further relates to a method of performing 3D scanning with the inventive laser scanning microscope.