DE10361176A1 - Device for generating a multi-wavelength light beam - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for generating a light beam comprising several wavelengths, in particular an illumination light beam for a preferably confocal scanning microscope, with a beam combiner arrangement (1) for combining laser light beams (19) of different wavelengths, wherein the arrangement comprises individual beam combiner (2), is characterized in that the beam combiner (2) are arranged in series or in groups parallel to one another and are each designed for coupling in a laser light beam (19) having a wavelength of a defined wavelength range.

Description

The The invention relates to a device for generating a plurality wavelength comprehensive light beam, in particular an illumination light beam for a preferably confocal scanning microscope, with a Strahlereinigeranordnung for combining laser light beams of different wavelengths, wherein the arrangement comprises individual beam combiner.

Devices of the generic type are known in practice and are used for example in the DE 196 33 185 C2 described. From this document a multicolor point light source for a laser scanning microscope is known in which laser light beams of different wavelengths are brought together coaxially by means of a beam combiner arrangement. The Strahlereinigeranordnung shown there comprises three beam combiner and is designed as a monolithic unit. After beam combination, the combined laser light beams are guided via an optical fiber to a microscope and coupled there.

The known devices of the generic type are in particular problematic in terms of their inadequate flexibility. In most make the laser light sources are fixed with the beam combiner arrangement connected, so that the coupling of additional laser light sources or another combination of laser light sources is almost impossible. Will the laser light beams over Optical fibers coupled into the Strahlereinigeranordnung, so are the possibilities the coupling of the laser light sources through the concrete arrangement and embodiment of the beam combiner of the beam combiner arrangement limited. Besides, usually all laser light beams coupled into the beam combiner arrangement be adjusted, making it easy to replace the laser light sources is prevented. With the replacement of individual laser light sources is in general at the same time also the replacement and readjustment the individual beam combiner necessary for a unification the different laser light beams is possible. The from the state known in the art devices for generating a multiple wavelengths Light beam are so far extremely user-friendly, and a special service of the device manufacturer is thus in most cases mandatory.

Of the The invention is based on the object, a device for generating one of several wavelengths comprehensive light beam of the type mentioned in such a way and further that the spectral composition of the to be generated Light beam is almost freely selectable and by a user be changed easily without replacement parts and readjustment can.

The inventive device of the generic type dissolves the above object by the features of the claim 1. Thereafter, such a device is characterized in that the beam combiner in series or in groups parallel to each other are arranged and each for coupling a laser light beam with one wavelength a defined wavelength range designed are.

In according to the invention is first It has been recognized that the trend is increasingly towards modular device units The user-friendly and easy maintenance can be used. In this context, it has been further recognized that while a high flexibility and adaptability to special user requests and requirements of is very special meaning. Finally, it has been recognized that one such flexibility is realized when the beam combiner according to the invention in series or in groups are arranged parallel to each other and respectively for coupling a laser light beam with a wavelength of a defined wavelength range are designed. For example, a user of a microscope becomes by the device according to the invention able to get the necessary wavelengths of his Customize lighting beam and the compilation to change, without the need for conversions or adjustments would be required. in this respect is a great deal Easy-to-use device for multi-wavelength generation Realized light beam.

In a concrete embodiment are used Strahlvereiniger who work wavelength sensitive. Especially could the beam combiner each an individual characteristic wavelength own, so that laser light rays with wavelengths below the characteristic Wavelength in the Essentially transmitted and laser light beams with wavelengths above the characteristic wavelength are essentially reflected, with the reverse case as well would be conceivable. Of course, both could be used in the beam combiner arrangement Types of beam combiner be provided.

Concretely, the beam combiners could be designed as band edge filters, as dichroic filters or as etalons. A particularly effective beam combination results when using tape edge filters with steep flanks. Such filters generally have on one side a special coating of several layer packages, which ensures that the filter has the desired spectral characteristic. On the other hand, an antireflection coating could be provided. In principle, the use of polarization-sensitive elements or neutral splitters or dispersive elements in the form of prisms or gratings is also possible as beam combiner.

In a preferred embodiment are all Strahlvereiniger in the sense of an array in a row arranged according to their respective characteristic Wavelength - i. from shortly after long or vice versa - sorted are.

In An alternative embodiment could be a tree-like geometry the beam combiner be provided. It will be in parallel Branches first several laser light beams combined and then the from the parallel branches resulting light beams along with each other of a main beam path to the final light beam. The advantage of the tree-like structure is that for the individual Laser light beams the number of passes through the beam combiner is lower compared to the arrangement in series. In principle, the Strahlereiniger also in a combination of parallel arrangement and Row arrangement be positioned.

Of the for each the beam combiner individually defined wavelength range could have a predetermined spectral width. This could be in particularly advantageous in each case to specific measurement requirements be adjusted. That's how you know For example, in fluorescence microscopy that for most Fluorescence dyes the spectral width of the possible excitation wavelength range in the order of magnitude of 40 nm FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum). To be sure that all fluorescent dyes contained in a given sample can be stimulated Consequently, an excitation light beam is required, which includes wavelengths, which are separated by a maximum of 40 nm. To adapt to this Requirements from practice could Therefore, be provided that for each of the Strahlvereiniger individually defined wavelength range has a spectral width of less than 40 nm.

Considered one that the width of the excitation maximum of the dyes typically around 20 nm, so needed one for one optimal excitation of the fluorescent dyes in the sample Excitation light beam with wavelengths, which differ by a maximum of 20 nm from each other. The one for everyone the beam combiner individually defined wavelength range could Therefore, advantageously, a spectral width of less than 20 nm. Closer make adjacent wavelengths usually none Sense more, because with a grid of each 20 nm apart separated excitation wavelengths Virtually every fluorescent dye can be excited optimally.

in the In view of a high clarity it is particularly advantageous if that for each of the Strahlvereiniger individually defined wavelength range for all Beam unifier has the same spectral width and if beyond the spectral center positions of the the beam combiner respectively defined wavelength ranges equidistant to each other. It could the for each of the beam combiner individually defined wavelength ranges each other partially overlap or completely be separated from each other. In particular, those could be customized for the beam combiner defined wavelength ranges be set so that the entirety of the injectable laser light beams the complete spectrum of relevant wavelengths, such as the visible Spectrum from 430 nm to 700 nm, covering.

in the With regard to ease of use, it could be provided that the Strahlereinigeranordnung is enclosed in a housing, so that the internal structure of the Strahlereinigeranordnung for a User at all is not perceptible.

Of the internal structure of the beam combiner arrangement could be designed in such a way that in front of the individual beam combiners collimating lenses for parallelization the laser light beams are arranged. The laser light beams could via Lichtleitfa fibers, in particular Glass fibers to which collimating lenses are directed. To avoid a misalignment could the beam combiner and the collimating lenses directly or indirectly firmly with the housing be connected.

In In a particularly user-friendly embodiment, the laser light sources are preferably in miniaturized form, disposed within the housing and the beam combiners assigned. About that out could be provided that the laser light sources from outside of the housing independently can be activated and deactivated from each other. A user could Consequently, in a simple way, assemble a light beam by he simply activates the appropriate laser light sources, which then due to the structure according to the invention - without that further measures on the part of the user would be required - with each other be united.

In an alternative embodiment, the laser light sources could be outside the housing be orders, wherein the individual laser light beams could be coupled via fiber connectors as optical interfaces in the optical fiber. The fiber connectors could either be embedded in the housing of the beam combiner or provided outside of the housing. In the latter case, the laser light beams are led out through fiber feedthroughs formed in the housing.

to Avoidance of incorrect operation could the fiber connectors and / or the fiber feedthroughs on the housing a have characteristic lettering and / or identifier indicating which concrete wavelength range can be coupled into the respective fiber connector.

The handover of the light at the optical connector formed by a fiber connector Interface can be either by direct contact of two fibers take place, if necessary, also have a small distance from each other could or in collimated form, by the fiber ends on both sides Collimating lenses are attached. These can be particularly advantageous be housed in the fiber connector itself. It is of course conceivable that only one side of the optical interface has a glass fiber is located and the light on the other side is guided over a Freistrahloptik.

in the Case of direct contact between two optical fibers that the glass fibers have a big Have cross-section to facilitate the adjustment and light losses to avoid. As usual used in the visible spectral single-mode optical fibers have optical cross-sections of less than 5 microns, which makes the adjustment difficult impossible makes use of special microstructured glass fibers at. These could be out so-called photonic bandgap material (Photonic bandgap) and therefore the properties of photonic Have crystals. Such fibers can be much larger optical Cross sections of over 10 μm, although their optical properties are still those of single-mode optical fibers correspond.

alternative could also fibers with a tapered Structure (Tapered Fibers) are used. With such fibers changes the cross section along the fiber, in which case the fiber could be made that the cross section at the fiber end is greater than in the interior of the fiber.

To the Uncoupling the light beam has the Strahlereinigeranordnung an output that acts as a fiber connector or through an exit window or an outlet opening for one Freistrahloptik is formed. In the case of a fiber exit offers Particularly advantageous is a polarization-preserving, broadband Single-mode fiber, for example, the light beam to a Transported by fluorescence microscope. In the case of a confocal microscope it is of particular advantage when the Strahlereinigeranordnung is fixed to the confocal microscope and the light beam of the Beam combiner arrangement from the output of the array directly via a lens is focused on the excitation pinhole of the confocal microscope.

to user-specific configuration of the outgoing light beam could advantageously an element for spectrally sensitive intensity adjustment be provided at the output of the Strahlereinigeranordnung. in the With regard to a compact construction, the element is within the housing the Strahlereinigeranordnung integrated and before the output positioned. Specifically, the element may be spectrally sensitive intensity adjustment around an acousto-optic filter (AOTF), an acousto-optic modulator (AOM), an electro-optic modulator (EOM), an adjustable liquid crystal filter (LCTF), a Grating Valve Device (GVD) or a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System) based filter act. For the Strahlereinigeranordnung is possibly a suitable electrical Interface needed, which could be realized by a suitable connector.

For special Applications can the Strahlereinigeranordnung different laser light beams wavelength provided by multi-line laser light sources, e.g. by argon laser, krypton laser, argon krypton laser, mixed gas laser, Multiple fiber lasers, continuum lasers or similar. As the individual Strahlvereiniger the Strahlereinigeranordnung in contrast to conventional Beam combiners are limited to narrow spectral ranges is when using such a laser, a suitable beam splitting unit needed. Such a beam splitting unit is in some way Inverse system for Strahlereinigeranordnung and separated the different wavelengths the laser light beam of the multi-line laser light source from each other. The thus separated wavelengths can the beam combiners of a beam combiner arrangement as described above be forwarded. The beam splitting unit can be the Strahlereinigeranordnung upstream, attached to it or even integrated into it. In the case of using multi-line laser light sources, the laser light beam becomes thus first over split a beam splitting unit and then the individual beam combiner the example. Downstream Strahlereinigeranordnung supplied, or but it is a multiple notch as an additional Strahlvereiniger in the Beam combiner arrangement introduced, which serves to the respective Multi-line laser possible lossless with the total light beam to unite.

It are now different ways to design the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner and further education. On the one hand to the claim 1 subordinate claims and on the other hand to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. Combined with the explanation preferred embodiments The invention with reference to the drawings are also generally preferred Embodiments and developments of the teaching explained. In show the drawing

1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention,

2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention,

3 a schematic representation of a Strahlereinigeranordnung with arranged in series Strahlereinereiniger,

4 a schematic representation of a Strahlereinigeranordnung with parallel beam combiner,

5 in a diagram, the transmission and reflection behavior of a band edge filter as a function of the irradiated wavelength λ,

6 in a diagram, the transmission and reflection characteristics of several band edge filters and

7 a beam splitting unit for separating different wavelengths of a laser light beam of a multi-line laser light source.

1 schematically shows a first embodiment of an inventive device for generating a multi-wavelength light beam. The beam combiner arrangement 1 with the individual beam combiners 2 is in a housing 3 integrated, which presents itself to a user as a sort of "black box." In the front of the housing 3 There are a total of fifteen fiber connectors 4 integrated, in which the desired wavelengths over optical fibers 5 can be coupled. Every fiber connector 4 corresponds to one within the housing 3 arranged beam combiner 2 , according to the invention in each case for coupling a laser light beam 19 are designed with a wavelength of a defined wavelength range. At each of the fifteen fiber connectors 4 Therefore, each of the wavelength range defined for this is indicated. For example, the first fiber connector 4 top left for coupling a laser light beam 19 designed with a wavelength smaller than 440 nm, the second fiber straightener 4 the top row for a laser light beam 19 with a wavelength between 440 nm and 460 nm, etc. Overall, thus the complete visible spectrum of wavelengths smaller than 440 nm to greater than 700 nm is covered. The spectral width is 20 nm for each fiber stretcher except for the edge plug. The unused fiber stretcher 4 are not occupied and are provided with radiopaque covers (not shown) for reasons of laser safety, protection or aesthetics.

In the example shown, a total of three laser light beams 19 coupled with wavelengths of 450 nm, 590 nm and 670 nm. Due to the internal arrangement and design of the individual beam combiner 2 inside the case 3 Ensures that all three laser beams 19 be combined into a ray of light. This ray of light will be at the exit 6 the beam combiner arrangement 1 by means of a broadband optical fiber 7 tapped and forwarded, for example, to a microscope. These may be, in particular, confocal scanning microscopes, semiconfocal microscopes, such as, for example, line scanners, Nipkow systems or a dot-matrix illumination. The transmission to confocal endoscopes is of great practical importance.

2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention, which only in the coupling and decoupling of the laser light beams 19 from the in 1 example differs. For coupling the laser light beams 19 are fiber connectors 4 outside the case 3 the beam combiner arrangement 1 provided. These are optical fibers 5 via a strain relief from the inside of the housing 3 the beam combiner arrangement 1 guided to the outside, which at their fiber ends serving as optical fiber connectors 4 exhibit.

The laser light rays 19 of a total of three laser light sources 22 (457 nm, 594 nm, 720 nm) are each using a focusing lens 8th in the optical fibers 5 coupled, with the focusing lenses 8th shown separately only for the sake of clarity and otherwise in practice fixedly adjusted with the fiber connectors 4 connected or even integrated into it. The spectral width is in the present case for each optical fiber 5 or for anyone with the optical fibers 5 corresponding beam combiner 2 within the beam combiner arrangement 1 depending Weil 25 nm, with the areas be neighboring optical fibers 5 partially overlap.

The decoupling of the combined light beam 9 out of the case 3 the beam combiner arrangement 1 via a free-beam optic through an outlet opening 10 or an exit window. In the case of a downstream confocal microscope, the outgoing light beam 9 focused via a lens directly on the excitation pinhole of the confocal microscope.

3 shows the internal structure of a Strahlereinigeranordnung 1 in which the individual beam combiner 2 one behind the other in a row within the housing 3 are arranged. From outside the case 3 provided laser light beams 19 Be about glass fibers 11 inside the case 3 directed and on in front of the individual beam combiners 2 arranged collimating lenses 12 guided. Through the collimating lenses 12 the laser light is parallelized and onto the respective beam distributor 2 directed.

The beam combiner 2 are as band edge filters 13 executed and sorted within the row according to their respective band edge. In the present case all Strahlereiniger show 2 for wavelengths above its band edge substantially transmissive and for wavelengths below their band edge substantially reflective properties. In the example shown, the band edge filter is located 13 with the highest band edge (about 660 nm) in the leftmost row, while the band edge filter 13 with the lowest band edge (about 455 nm) in the right-most row. For the band edge filters in-between 13 If the band edge is seen from left to right successively lower. By this arrangement, the beam combiner 2 according to the invention in each case for coupling a laser light beam 19 designed with a wavelength of a defined wavelength range. For example, in the first band edge filter 13 far left a laser light beam 19 coupled with a wavelength of 670 nm, the band edge filter 13 - and all subsequent band edge filters 13 - happens. On the other side of the band edge filter 13 a laser light beam with a wavelength of 650 nm is steered. Because this wavelength is below the specific band edge of this first band edge filter 13 is located, this laser light beam 19 is substantially reflected and from all subsequent band edge filters 13 transmitted, so that the two laser light beams 19 (with 670 nm and 650 nm) are already united to a ray of light. Follow the band edge filters 13 to the right, this process is repeated for all coupled laser light beams 19 , so that behind the last band edge filter 13 a ray of light 9 is present, which includes all coupled wavelengths.

In the case 3 the beam combiner arrangement 1 is a coupling window 14 provided as a free-jet output for the individual laser light beams 19 unite light beam 9 acts. For spectrally selective intensity adjustment passes through the light beam emerging as a free-jet 9 an AOTF 15 and after passing through this component, for example, it can be passed to a fluorescence microscope.

4 schematically shows another embodiment of a Strahlereinigeranordnung 1 with a groupwise parallel arrangement of the individual beam combiner 2 , Thus, in the branches shown vertically, some of the laser light beams become 19 pre-combined in groups, and the thus produced pre-synthesized partial light beams are displayed on the horizontally displayed branch - the main beam path 16 Finally, to the final, all desired wavelengths comprehensive (total) light beam 9 united.

After the union of all the laser light beams, the intensity of each wavelength is determined by one in the housing 3 the beam combiner arrangement 1 integrated AOTF 15 set. Subsequently, the light beam 9 over one on the housing 3 the beam combiner arrangement 1 attached fiber connector 4 in a broadband optical fiber 7 coupled, which then transports the light beam to a specific application, for example. A microscope. The coupling into the optical fiber 7 takes place by means of a in the fiber connector 4 integrated focusing optics 17 , Both fiber connectors 4 as well as focusing optics 17 are adjustable.

5 shows the typical transmission and reflection behavior of the band edge filters used 13 depending on the incident wavelength λ. As you can clearly see, have the band filter 13 a characteristic wavelength - the so-called band edge - in which the optical characteristics of the band edge filter 13 turns. The band edge filters described here 13 For wavelengths below the band edge, they have substantially reflective properties (represented by the solid line), while substantially transmitting light having wavelengths above the band edge (represented by the dashed curve).

6 shows for purposes of illustration a diagram in which the transmission and reflection characteristics of the individual band edge filters 13 are shown as a function of the wavelength λ. The band edges of the individual band edge filters shifted in the wavelength λ are clearly visible 13 to recognize.

7 finally shows - schematically - a beam splitting unit 18 that serves the laser beam of light 19 a multi-line laser light source 20 , such as an argon laser or an argon-krypton laser, into the individual in the laser light beam 19 split wavelengths containing. The beam splitting unit 18 forms an inverse system to the beam combiner arrangement described above 1 , The generated monochromatic laser light beams 21 be using glass fibers 11 out of the case 3 the beam splitting unit 18 led out. Over at the ends of the glass fibers 11 trained fiber connector 4 can the laser light beams 21 as described above, together with further laser light beams in a Strahlereinigeranordnung not shown 1 be coupled and there combined as described above.

In conclusion, be particularly noted that the above discussed embodiments merely to describe the claimed teaching, this but not on the embodiments limit.

Claims (40)

Device for generating a light beam comprising several wavelengths, in particular an illumination light beam for a preferably confocal scanning microscope, having a beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ) for combining laser light beams ( 19 ) of different wavelengths, the arrangement being individual beam combiners ( 2 ), characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) are arranged in series or in groups parallel to each other and each for coupling a laser light beam ( 19 ) are designed with a wavelength of a defined wavelength range. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) operate wavelength-sensitively. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) each have an individual characteristic wavelength such that they emit laser light beams ( 19 ) with wavelengths that are shorter than the characteristic wavelength, substantially transmit and laser light beams ( 19 ) substantially reflect with longer wavelengths or vice versa. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) as a band edge filter ( 13 ), as dichroic filters, as etalons or the like are executed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) are polarization-sensitive elements or neutral splitters. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) are designed as dispersive elements in the form of prisms or gratings. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the arranged in series Strahlereiniger ( 2 ) are sorted according to their respective characteristic wavelength. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) are arranged in the sense of a tree-like structure. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, for each of the beam combiners ( 2 ) Individually defined wavelength range has a predetermined spectral width. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that for each of the beam combiner ( 2 ) individually defined wavelength range has a spectral width of less than 40 nm. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that for each of the beam combiner ( 2 ) individually defined wavelength range has a spectral width of less than 20 nm. Device according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, for each of the beam combiners ( 2 ) Individually defined wavelength range for all beam combiner ( 2 ) has the same spectral width. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the spectral center positions of each of the beam combiner ( 2 ) defined wavelength ranges are equidistant from each other. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the entirety of the injectable laser light beams ( 19 ) covers the complete spectrum of relevant wavelengths. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the Strahlereinigeranordnung ( 1 ) in a housing ( 3 ) is included. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in front of the individual beam combiners ( 2 ) Collimating lenses ( 12 ) for parallelizing the laser light beams ( 19 ) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized ge indicates that the laser light beams ( 19 ) via optical fibers ( 5 ) on the collimating lenses ( 12 ) are steerable. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the beam combiner ( 2 ) and the collimating lenses ( 12 ) directly or indirectly fixed to the housing ( 3 ) are connected. Device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the beam combiners ( 2 ) firmly inside the housing ( 3 ) are assigned, preferably miniaturized, laser light sources. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the laser light sources from outside the housing ( 3 ) are independently activated and deactivated. Device according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the individual laser light beams ( 19 ) via fiber connector ( 4 ) as optical interfaces in the optical fibers ( 5 ) can be coupled. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the fiber connectors ( 4 ) in the housing ( 3 ) of the beam combiner ( 2 ) are admitted. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that in the housing ( 3 ) of the beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ) Fiber feedthroughs are provided and the fiber connectors ( 4 ) outside the housing ( 3 ) are provided. Device according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the fiber connector ( 4 ) and / or the fiber feedthroughs on the housing ( 3 ) one with respect to that for the associated beam combiner ( 2 ) defined wavelength range characteristic label and / or identifier. Device according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the light transfer at the by the fiber connector ( 4 ) formed by direct contact of two fibers ( 5 . 11 ) he follows. Apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the light transfer at the by the fiber connector ( 4 ) formed optical interface by means of arranged on both sides of the fiber ends Kollimierlinsen. Apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the Kollimierlinsen in the fiber connectors ( 4 ) are arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the coupling of the laser light beams ( 19 ) into the beam combiner ( 2 ) via free-ray optics. Device according to, characterized in that it is in the optical fibers ( 5 ) to microstructured glass fibers ( 11 ) from photonic bandgap material. Device according to Claim 29, characterized in that the optical cross section of the glass fibers ( 11 ) at the fiber end is greater than 10 μm. Device according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the optical cross-section of the glass fibers ( 11 ) is larger at the fiber end than inside the fiber. Device according to one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that the beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ) for decoupling the light beam ( 9 ) an output ( 6 ) in the form of an optical fiber ( 7 ) with fiber connector ( 4 ) or an outlet ( 10 ) for free-beam optics. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that the optical fiber ( 7 ) for decoupling the light beam ( 9 ) is designed as a polarization-maintaining, broadband single-mode fiber. Apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that at the output ( 6 ) of the beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ) an element for spectrally sensitive intensity adjustment is provided. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the element for spectrally sensitive intensity adjustment within the housing ( 3 ) of the beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that the element for spectrally sensitive intensity adjustment an acousto-optic filter (AOTF) (AOTF) ( 15 ), an acoustooptic modulator (AOM), an electro-optic modulator (EOM), an adjustable liquid crystal filter (LCTF), a Grating Valve Device (GVD), a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System) based filter, or the like. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 36, characterized by a multiline laser light source ( 20 ) for providing a different wavelength laser light beam ( 19 ). Apparatus according to claim 37, characterized by a beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ) inverse beam splitting unit ( 18 ) for separating the different wavelengths of the laser light beam ( 19 ). Apparatus according to claim 38, characterized in that the beam splitting unit ( 18 ) of the beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ), is attached to this or is integrated in this. Apparatus according to claim 39, characterized in that the beam combiner arrangement ( 1 ) a multiple notch filter for combining the laser light beams ( 21 ) of the multiline laser light source ( 20 ) with the light beam.