An optical arrangement is disclosed for obtaining information from a sample or
an observed object which comprises a light source for illuminating the sample or
observed object and a reception device for the light proceeding from the sample
or observed object. At least one beam splitter is included having a splitter surface
with a transmittive area and a reflective area. Light from the source is directed
to the splitter surface, reflected by the reflective area of the splitter surface
to a concave mirror, focused by the concave mirror onto the transmittive area and
passes through the latter, or the light is focused onto the transmittive area,
passes through the latter to a concave mirror, is directed from the concave mirror
to the splitter surface and is deflected by the reflective area of the latter.
The focusing is influenced by the geometry of the mirror surface of the concave
mirror and the distance between the concave mirror and the splitter surface. A
selected beam expansion is predetermined and/or the wavefront of the light is manipulated
for purposes of optimally adapting the light to the characteristics of the rest
of the optical component groups and/or the optical characteristics of the sample
or of the observation object.
