Linearly modulated multi-focal diffractive lens for multi-sheet excitation of flow-driven samples in a light-sheet fluorescence microscope

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) with single light-sheet illumination enables rapid 3Dimaging of living cells. In this paper we show the design, fabrication and characterization of a diffractive optical element producing several light sheets along an inclined tube for applications in flow-driven imaging. The element, which is based on a multi-focal Fresnel zone plate and a linear grating, generates in combination with a refractive cylindrical lens five thin light sheets of equal intensity