[Object] An observation device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an emission unit, an imaging unit, a polarization control unit, and a calculation unit. The emission unit sequentially emits a plurality of polarization light beams of mutually different polarization directions to a biological tissue. The imaging unit includes a plurality of pixels capable of outputting pixel signals respectively. The polarization control unit considers a predetermined number of pixels of the plurality of pixels as one group and causes mutually different polarization components of reflection light beams reflected by the biological tissue to be respectively incident upon respective ones of the predetermined number of pixels included in the one group. The calculation unit calculates biological tissue information regarding the biological tissue on the basis of the pixel signals output from the respective ones of the predetermined number of pixels.

A slit lamp microscope according to an embodiment example includes a scanner, a first assessing processor, and a controller. The scanner is configured to perform application of a scan to an anterior segment of a subject’s eye with slit light to collect an image group. The first assessing processor is configured to execute an assessment of a quality of the image group collected by the scanner. The controller is configured to selectively execute at least two control modes according to a result of the assessment of the quality obtained by the first assessing processor.

Speckle-modulated line illumination devices and associated methods are described that enable acquisition of images with high resolution and high speed simultaneously. One example speckle-modulated line illumination device includes a spatially coherent light source having a speckled output, a collimation lens positioned to receive the output of the spatially coherent light source, a cylindrical lens positioned to receive a collimated light produced by the collimation lens, and a diffuser positioned to receive a focused line illumination from the cylindrical lens, and to impart random phase variations in light that is output therefrom. The diffuser is coupled to a movement stage to impart rotational or translational movements to the diffusor as a function of time. Implementations of the disclosed technology can be used to develop reflectance confocal microscopy devices and scattering-based light sheet microscopy devices.

A high power uniform light beam is generated on an oblique plane by one or more diode lasers and 2 or more light pipes. The light pipes may be trapezoidal so that the illuminated area is substantially square. The light pipes may be elliptical so that the illuminated area is substantially circular.

Provided is a microscope including: a detection optical system detecting fluorescence produced in a specimen to acquire fluorescence images; an illumination device causing planar excitation light to be incident on the specimen from different directions along a plurality of incident planes that are parallel to each other with a prescribed spacing therebetween in the direction along the detection optical axis of the system; a drive portion causing relative movement between: the system and the device; and the specimen, in the direction along the detection optical axis, in a state in which each of the incident planes and the focal plane of the system are aligned for each sheet of excitation light; and an image processing unit combining fluorescence images that are acquired when respective sheets of excitation light are incident from the different directions along the same incident plane at different times while the portion causes the relative movement.

Disclosed herein, inter alia, are methods and systems of image analysis useful for rapidly identifying and/or quantifying features.

A miniaturized microscope having a tunable focal length provides for fluorescence measurements at an adjustable focus, providing for autofocus and/or depth adjustment of an image measurement without altering or adjusting a probe implanted in a sample and while providing collimated illumination of an area within the sample. The microscope includes an objective lens having a fixed position with respect to a second connector for receiving light returning from the sample and focusing it on an image sensor within the microscope that generates an image output, a beamsplitter for separating light returning from the sample, and an electrically-tunable lens positioned between the objective lens and the image sensor for adjusting an optical path length from the optical interface to the image sensor. The illumination is focused at or near a back focal plane of the objective lens to the sample, providing collimated or quasi-collimated illumination on or within the sample.

According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided a light distribution device comprising a waveguide comprising a light coupling portion for light propagation, and a slab layer comprising a light coupling edge arranged at a boundary of the slab layer, configured for light propagation.

The light coupling portion extends alongside and at a distance from the light coupling edge, forming a gap therebetween.

The light distribution device is configured to allow light in the waveguide to be coupled into the slab layer across the gap.

The slab layer is configured to propagate light coupled into the slab layer such that an interference pattern is formed in the slab layer, and for control of the interference pattern.

The disclosure provides for structured illumination microscopy (SIM) imaging systems. In one set of implementations, a SIM imaging system may be implemented as a multi-arm SIM imaging system, whereby each arm of the system includes a light emitter and a beam splitter (e.g., a transmissive diffraction grating) having a specific, fixed orientation with respect to the system's optical axis. In a second set of implementations, a SIM imaging system may be implemented as a multiple beam splitter slide SIM imaging system, where one linear motion stage is mounted with multiple beam splitters having a corresponding, fixed orientation with respect to the system's optical axis. In a third set of implementations, a SIM imaging system may be implemented as a pattern angle spatial selection SIM imaging system, whereby a fixed two-dimensional diffraction grating is used in combination with a spatial filter wheel to project one-dimensional fringe patterns on a sample.

An optical observation unit (1) has an illumination apparatus (43) for illuminating an observation object (3). The illumination apparatus (43, 143) has a light source (45) emitting illumination light with a first color temperature, and a spectral filter (49) that can be inserted in the illumination beam path. The spectral filter (49) converts the illumination light with the first color temperature into illumination light with a second color temperature. The illumination apparatus further has an attenuator (51) that can be inserted in the illumination beam path in place of the spectral filter (49) and has a transmission characteristic that leads to an intensity reduction of the illumination light with the first color temperature that corresponds to the intensity reduction of the illumination light with the second color temperature by way of the spectral filter (49).