Microscope with increased resolution

Abstract

Microscope with heightened resolution wherein the sample is illuminated with a first and a second illuminating light, with the first illuminating light exciting the sample and the second illuminating light being generated through the refraction of coherent light at a periodic structure and displaying a periodic structure in a lateral beam direction and in axial beam direction.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . Microscope with heightened resolution, comprising: 
 a first illumination light for illuminating and exciting a sample,    a periodic structure, and    a second illumination light for illuminating the sample, the second illumination light being generated through refraction of coherent light at the periodic structure.    
     
     
         25 . Microscope according to  claim 24 , wherein the second illumination light has a periodic structure in a lateral beam direction and in an axial beam direction.  
     
     
         26 . Microscope according to  claim 24 , means for spatially superimposing patterns created by the first and second illumination lights in the sample, wherein a return of an excited state takes place in the sample in the regions of the second illumination light pattern.  
     
     
         27 . Microscope according to  claim 24 , wherein the first and the second illumination lights are laser beams.  
     
     
         28 . Microscope according to  claim 24 , further comprising means for moving the first and second illumination lights jointly over the sample.  
     
     
         29 . Microscope according to  claim 24 , wherein the first and second illumination lights are linear.  
     
     
         30 . Microscope according to  claim 24 , wherein the periodic structure generates the second illumination light through coherent superimposition of several orders of refraction.  
     
     
         31 . Microscope according to  claim 30 , further comprising a grid for generating the orders of refraction.  
     
     
         32 . Microscope according to  claim 31 , wherein the grid generates a Talbot grid effect.  
     
     
         33 . Microscope according to  claim 32 , further comprising a microscope objective lens having a depth resolution in the range of the distance between the Talbot lines.  
     
     
         34 . Microscope according to  claim 24 , further comprising at least one pulsed laser for generating at least one of the first and second illumination lights.  
     
     
         35 . Method of operating a microscope according to  claim 24 , comprising generating a depopulation and an excitation in an alternating manner in the sample.  
     
     
         36 . Method according to  claim 35 , wherein the excitation takes place following the depopulation.  
     
     
         37 . Method according to  claim 35 , wherein the depopulation takes place following the excitation.  
     
     
         38 . Method according to  claim 35 , wherein the microscope includes two pulsed lasers for the generation of the first and the second illumination lights, and wherein the method includes the step of operating the two pulsed lasers in a synchronized matter to cause the excitation and the depopulation to take place alternatingly in the sample.  
     
     
         39 . Method according to  claim 35 , further comprising the step of adjusting the optical resolution of the microscope.  
     
     
         40 . Method according to  claim 35 , further including the step of varying the frequency of the periodic structure to adjust the optical resolution.  
     
     
         41 . Method according to  claim 35 , wherein the microscope includes a microscope objective lens, and wherein the method further includes the step of switching of the periodic structure upon switching of the microscope objective lens.  
     
     
         42 . Method according to  claim 35 , wherein the periodic structure is a grid, and wherein the method further comprises the step of switching the grid in the second illumination light.  
     
     
         43 . Method for studying developmental processes, comprising the step of: 
 studying dynamic processes in the range of tenths of a second up to hours, on the level of cell associations and entire organisms, using a light grid microscope according to  claim 24 .    
     
     
         44 . Method for studying intercellular transport events, comprising the step of: 
 representing small motile structures, for example proteins, with high speed, using a light grid microscope according to  claim 24 .    
     
     
         45 . Method for representing rapid signal transmission events, comprising the step of: 
 representing neurophysiologic events with high temporal resolution in studies in the muscle and nerve system, using a light grid microscope according to  claim 24.