Patent ID: 6355934
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An imaging system, suitable for use in optically scanning a sample, said imaging system comprising:a plurality of n radiation sources, where n&gE;3, at least one said radiation source providing a corresponding excitation beam comprising radiation of wavelength &lgr;i, where 1&lE;i&lE;n; an objective lens disposed between said radiation sources and the sample such that said &lgr;i excitation beam passes through said objective lens and illuminates the sample, whereby at least a portion of said &lgr;i excitation beam incident upon the sample is converted into and subsequently emitted as radiation of wavelength &lgr;iâ€², said objective lens further disposed to substantially collimate at least a portion of said &lgr;iâ€² emitted radiation so as to form a corresponding emission beam of radiation of wavelength &lgr;iâ€² transmitted away from the sample; a detector responsive to radiation of wavelength &lgr;iâ€²; and, a geometric beam splitter disposed in the transmission path of said emission beam between said plurality of radiation sources and said objective lens and oriented to provide at least a portion of said excitation beam in the direction of said objective lens and at least a portion of said emission beam to said detector based on the differences in the relative positions of said emission beam and said excitation beam at said geometric beam splitter.