2 research outputs found
Versatile, open-access opto-mechanics platform for optical microscopes prototyping
Prototype optical microscopes, built to pursue developments in advanced
imaging techniques, need specific optomechanical constructions: preferably with
high flexibility in the elements arrangement, easy access to the optical paths,
straightforward integration with external optical subsystems - light sources
and detectors - as well as good mechanical stability. Typically they are either
built around an adapted commercial microscope body or as a home-built setup,
based on standard optomechanical elements, and neither solution delivers the
desired characteristics. We developed a series of versatile platforms for
prototyping optical microscopes in various configurations that use folding
mirror(s) to maintain the optical paths horizontal throughout most of the
setup, thus enabling the use of standard optical components in the excitation
and detection paths and, last but not least, increasing the laser safety of the
optical system.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure