Microscope

Abstract

A confocal microscope has a specimen holding device for holding a specimen ( 18 ). The specimen ( 18 ) is illuminated by an illuminating unit ( 10 ). An optics unit ( 12 ) serves to direct radiation produced by the illuminating unit ( 10 ) toward the specimen ( 18 ) and to direct the radiation emitted by the specimen toward a detector unit ( 20 ). The confocal microscope also comprises an aperture diaphragm ( 34 ) that is placed in the beam path in front of the detector unit ( 20 ). In addition, a focusing lens ( 30 ) is provided in the beam path in front of the aperture diaphragm ( 34 ). The focusing lens ( 30 ) can be moved in order to adjust the confocal microscope, for example, in order to compensate for thermal stresses.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . A confocal microscope for single-molecule spectroscopy, comprising: 
 a specimen holding device for holding a specimen;    an illuminating unit;    an optics unit comprising a beam splitter, wherein the beam splitter directs radiation produced by the illuminating unit toward the specimen and radiation given off by the specimen toward a detector unit;    an aperture diaphragm arranged in a beam path in front of the detector unit: and    a stationary focusing lens arranged in the beam path in front of the aperture diaphragm, wherein the beam splitter is adapted to be tilted to align the radiation given off by the specimen with a central axis of an opening of the aperture diaphragm.    
   
   
       7 . A microscope according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the aperture diaphragm is displaceable exclusively in a longitudinal direction of the beam path for adjusting the distance between the focusing lens and the aperture diaphragm.  
   
   
       8 . A microscope according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the aperture diaphragm is rotatable about the central axis.  
   
   
       9 . A microscope according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the aperture diaphragm is stationary.  
   
   
       10 . A microscope according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the opening of the aperture diaphragm is circular or split-shaped.  
   
   
       11 . A microscope according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the focusing lens, or the beam splitter, or the focusing lens and the beam splitter, are connected with an adjusting mechanism for automatic adjustment.  
   
   
       12 . A microscope according to  claim 6 , characterized in that an adjusting tolerance with respect to the opening of the aperture diaphragm is smaller than 3 μm.  
   
   
       13 . A microscope according to  claim 6 , characterized in that an adjusting tolerance with respect to the opening of the aperture diaphragm is smaller than 2 μm.  
   
   
       14 . A microscope according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the aperture diaphragm is rotatable about the central axis.  
   
   
       15 . A microscope according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the opening of the aperture diaphragm is circular or split-shaped.  
   
   
       16 . A microscope according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the opening of the aperture diaphragm is circular or split-shaped.  
   
   
       17 . A microscope according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the opening of the aperture diaphragm is circular or split-shaped.  
   
   
       18 . A microscope according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the focusing lens, or the beam splitter, or the focusing lens and the beam splitter, are connected with an adjusting mechanism for automatic adjustment.  
   
   
       19 . A microscope according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the focusing lens, or the beam splitter, or the focusing lens and the beam splitter, are connected with an adjusting mechanism for automatic adjustment.  
   
   
       20 . A microscope according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the focusing lens, or the beam splitter, or the focusing lens and the beam splitter, are connected with an adjusting mechanism for automatic adjustment.  
   
   
       21 . A microscope according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the focusing lens, or the beam splitter, or the focusing lens and the beam splitter, are connected with an adjusting mechanism for automatic adjustment.