Patent ID: 7872748
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A real-time, 3D, non-linear microscope measuring system for examining a set of microscopic image points in different image planes, said system comprising: a bundle of optical fibers or waveguides for marking out the positions of at least two image points to be examined, wherein one optical fiber or waveguide is allocated to each of said image points respectively, and wherein coordinates of said image points are selected by positioning the end of an allocated optical fiber or waveguide in a object area containing a number of object planes; an optical switch operably associated with said optical fibers or wave guides being applicable to address said image points to be examined in rapid succession; an imaging system positioned between point-like light sources provided by the ends of said optical fibers or waveguides being in an object space and said image points to be examined in an image space, said imaging system being applicable to produce appropriate angular magnification and to establish an unambiguous connection between said point-like light sources and said image points; and a light source generating light pulses as examined optical signals where the duration of said pulses is of the order of picoseconds or femtoseconds.