Methods and apparatus for microscopic examination of samples

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for microscopic examination of a sample (5). The method includes the steps of: contacting a sample (5) with an optically transparent medium (12) having a higher refractive index than the sample (5), generating an irradiation beam (13), and guiding the irradiation beam (13) through focusing Irradiation lens (1) for irradiation beam. Subsequently, the irradiation beam (13) is deflected in the direction of the sample (5) to be inspected using a deflection member arranged on the detection lens (2), so that the irradiation beam (13) illuminates the optically transparent medium (12) and the sample (5) to the interface (10), and is fully reflected at the interface (10) for evanescent irradiation of the sample (5). Finally, the fluorescence emitted by the sample (5) and passing through the detection lens (2) is detected.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a method for microscopic examination of a sample, and also to a device for performing such a method. Background technique [0002] In the context of microscopic fluoroscopic examination of samples, the sample is usually irradiated directly with a radiation beam, so that the sample is optically excited in the irradiated region and the fluorescence emitted by the sample is subsequently detected. In scanning microscopes, the focus of the radiation beam is directed in a serpentine pattern across or through the sample, and in this way one point at a time, the sample is scanned using controllable beam deflecting components, which may include For example one or more tilting mirrors. [0003] As an alternative to direct sample irradiation, it is also possible to evanescently irradiate the sample. Here, the excitation light is totally reflected to the sample on the boundary surface, whereby the sample is excited by the evanescent elec...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, this setup has the disadvantage that the coupling of the irradiated light to the coverslip is not very efficient, so only a reduced amount of light is available for evanescently irradiating the sample

[0005] Furthermore, when it comes to the evanescent irradiation of the sample, the methods and devices known from the prior art generally have the disadvantage of not being able to flexibly and sufficiently accurately set the exact position of the sample irradiation

[0006] Furthermore, the methods and devices known from the prior art have the disadvantage that, prior to microscopic examination by evanescent radiation, samples have to be arranged and prepared laboriously in special sample chambers or between coverslips and then The sample chamber or the coverslip structure that mechanically holds the sample can be placed on the stage of the microscope

Often, just the edge regions of the sample at the boundary surfaces where total reflection should occur are damaged by continuous pressure stresses such that subsequent microscopic examination is minimally negatively affected or even completely impossible

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