Versatile, open-access opto-mechanics design for optical microscopes prototyping.

Prototype optical microscopes, built to pursue developments in advanced imaging techniques, need specific opto-mechanical 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-brewed setups, based on standard opto-mechanical elements, and neither solution delivers the desired characteristics. We developed a series of versatile microscope design for prototype optical microscopes in various configurations that use folding mirror(s) to maintain the optical paths horizontal throughout most of the setup.