Patent ID: 7667210

Claim:
A multi-photon microscope, comprising: an illumination source; an objective lens unit arranged in an optical path of the illumination source; a first light collection system arranged to collect a first portion of light emitted from a sample when illuminated by light from the illumination source; and a second light collection system arranged to collect a second portion of light emitted from the sample when illuminated by light from the illumination source, wherein said second light collection system is constructed and arranged to collect light emitted from the sample when illuminated by light from the illumination source that includes light emitted perpendicular to an incident direction of illumination of the sample, wherein the first portion of light when collected by the first light collection system and the second portion of light when collected by the second light collection system together provide enhanced brightness of light detected from the sample compared to light detected from the sample by only the first light collection system, and wherein said first light collection system and said second light collection system are constructed and arranged to collect substantially all light emitted from said sample when illuminated with light from said illumination source without said light emitted from said sample being redirected to pass again through said sample.