The present invention relates to a photodetector array for capturing image data, comprising: photodetector cells arranged on a substrate, each including a single-photon avalanche diode, wherein the active areas of the photodetector cells are neighbored along a hexagonal grid; microlenses, having a hexagonal or circular shape, each arranged on one photodetector cell to focus light onto the photodiode.

Examples relate to a surgical microscope system and a corresponding apparatus, method and computer program. The surgical microscope system comprises one or more sensors for providing sensor information about a balance of the surgical microscope system. The surgical microscope system comprises one or more brakes for holding at least one component of the surgical microscope system in place. The surgical microscope system comprises a surgical microscope. The surgical microscope system comprises a processing module, configured to process the sensor information. The processing module is configured to determine an information about the balance of the surgical microscope system. In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to provide a warning to a user of the surgical microscope system based on the information about the balance of the surgical microscope system. The warning indicates danger of imbalance in the surgical microscope system. Alternatively or additionally, the processing module may be configured to control a release of the one or more brakes based on the information about the balance of the surgical microscope system.

A method of imaging a sample providing light from a light source, directing the provided light into an extended focus, scanning the extended focus across a wavefront modulating element that modulates amplitudes of the light along the extended focus, providing the modulated light to the sample, detecting light emitted from the sample in response to excitation by the modulated light, and generating an image of the sample based on the detected fluorescence emission light.

A focus scan type imaging device for imaging a target object in a sample that induces aberration proposed. The device includes: a light source unit for emitting a beam; an optical interferometer for splitting the beam emitted from the light source into a sample wave and a reference wave, and providing an interference wave formed by interference between a reflection wave that is the sample wave reflected from the sample and the reference wave; a camera module for imaging the interference wave; a scanning mirror disposed on an optical path of the sample wave of the optical interferometer and configured to reflect the sample wave to cause the sample wave to scan the sample; a wavefront shaping modulator disposed on the optical path of the sample wave of the optical interferometer; and an imaging controller configured to operate in a phase map calculation mode and in an imaging mode.

A dental microscope includes a microscope unit, an adjustable support arm, and a display unit. The microscope unit includes a body part, at least one eyepiece that is disposed on the body part, and an objective lens disposed on a bottom end of the body part. The adjustable support arm has a first end connected to the microscope unit and a second end opposite to the first end. The adjustable support arm is adjustable in a segment-by-segment manner to move the second end relative to the first end. The display unit is connected to the second end of the adjustable support arm and is in signal communication with the microscope unit for displaying a captured image obtained by the microscope unit.

A method and microscopy system are useful for recording an image of a sample region. A laser beam is directed onto the sample region with interface(s). An objective lens facilitates images the laser beam on a focusing point which lies on the optical axis of the objective lens or an axis parallel thereto, and which lies in a focusing plane. The objective lens and the sample region are displaced with respect to one another in relative fashion along the optical axis of the objective lens to different relative displacement positions. Intensity values of the laser beam are captured for a respective relative displacement position. A respective highest intensity value for a respective displacement position, a curve of the highest intensity values, and a reference relative displacement position from at least one maximum of the curve, are determined. Image(s) of the sample region is/are captured at the reference relative displacement position.

Upstream a microscope objective lens, a polarization direction of a light beam is tilted with a first electro-optical deflector between a first polarization direction with which the light beam is deflected by a first polarization beam splitter by a first angle and a second polarization direction with which it is deflected by a second angle. With a second electro-optical deflector, the polarization direction of the light beam is tilted between a third polarization direction with which the light beam is deflected by a second polarization beam splitter by a third angle and a fourth polarization direction with which it is deflected by a fourth angle. By rotating the polarization direction of the light beam by means of the first and second electro-optical deflectors in a coordinated way the light beam is tilted about a fixed point in a pupil of the objective lens.

A system for illuminating a microscopy specimen includes an illumination source configured to emit a light that travels along an illumination path to illuminate the microscopy specimen placed on an optical detection path of an optical microscope. The system also includes optical elements in the illumination path and configured to at least in part transform the light from the illumination source into a light sheet illuminating the microscopy specimen. The optical elements include an electronically tunable lens configured to vary a focal distance of the electronically tunable lens to dynamically vary a position of a waist of the light sheet illuminating the microscopy specimen. The optical elements include a deflector configured to vertically move the light sheet to illuminate the microscopy specimen at different horizontal planes.

A stereo microscope includes a stand, two optical image acquisition units configured to connect to the stand to capture a stereoscopic image, which define an imaging plane using two optical axes of the image acquisition units, a pair of video glasses including two optical image reproduction units, each having an optical axis and a display for reproducing an image, which together define an image plane, wherein the optical image reproduction units are arranged to produce a stereoscopic image impression, and two optical axes of the optical image reproduction units define an image reproduction plane, a detection device configured to determine spatial orientation of the video glasses, the image reproduction plane, the image plane and the imaging plane, and a control unit configured to pivot the stand so that the intersection lines of the image plane and the imaging plane on the image reproduction plane are made parallel. Methods are also disclosed.

A draft survey apparatus for gauging a barge by determining a weight of bulk materials loaded and discharged from the barge in water wherein the water level is provided. The draft survey apparatus includes a light source for emitting photons radially outward from the light source, a receiver for receiving the photons reflected off of the barge and surface, the receiver operable to sense a return angle of the photons, and a processor operable to determine a position of the objects and surfaces in three dimensional space based on the return angle of the photons and a time delay of photons between emission and receipt. The processor is operable to determine the weight of the bulk materials on the barge based on a height of barge above the water level.