Patent ID: 6441379
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An imaging system, suitable for use in optically scanning a sample, said imaging system comprising:a radiation device providing an excitation beam comprising radiation of at least wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2; an objective lens disposed between said radiation device and the sample; means for selecting one of said wavelengths for transmission through said objective lens such that said transmitted wavelength illuminates the sample, whereby a portion of said transmitted beam incident upon the sample is converted into and subsequently emitted as emitted radiation, said objective lens further disposed to substantially collimate at least a portion of said emitted radiation so as to form a corresponding emission beam directed away from the sample, a detector responsive to the wavelength of the emitted radiation, and a geometric beam splitter disposed in the transmission path of said excitation beam between said radiation device and said objective lens so as to provide at least a portion of said excitation beam in the direction of the sample, said geometric beam splitter further disposed in the transmission path of said emission beam and oriented so as to provide at least a portion of said excitation beam reflected from said sample and subsequently transmitted through said objective lens in the direction of said means for selecting and at least a portion of said emission beam transmitted through said objective lens in the direction of said detector based on the differences in the relative positions of said emission beam and said excitation beam at said geometric beam splitter.