Patent ID: 6309601
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B01J,B01L,B82Y,C07B,C07H,C07K,C12Q,C40B,G01N,G11C,H01L

Abstract:
A system for optical detection of emitted radiation from one or more microlocations separated by interstitial regions on an object to be examined, comprising:a light source providing excitation radiation characterized in that the diameter of the excitation radiation when illuminating the object is of the same diameter or less than the diameter of the microlocation to be examined,a confocal scanning system adapted to receive the excitation radiation and direct it to the object and to provide reflected radiation and emitted radiation from the microlocation,a first detector adapted to receive the reflected radiation and generate an output,a position detection system configured to receive the output of the first detector and based on the output determine position information regarding one or more microlocations,a control system coupled to the position detection system which utilizes the position information to cause the confocal scanning system to direct excitation radiation to substantially only one microlocation at a time and substantially not to the interstitial regions on the object, wherein the location of the microlocation is predetermined based on position information, anda second detector operatively positioned to receive the emitted radiation from the microlocation.