Patent ID: 7227126

Claim:
A light detection device for irradiating each of a plurality of test samples, each accommodated in one of a plurality of measurement areas, with excitation light, and detecting characteristic return light from each of the test samples, wherein each measurement area has a predetermined dimension, the light detection device comprising: an excitation light emitting portion for irradiating each measurement area with the excitation light; a light receiving portion for receiving the characteristic return light, the light receiving portion being spaced from the excitation light emitting portion by a predetermined distance that is less than the predetermined dimension; a scanner for moving the excitation light emitting portion and the light receiving portion in a range including the plurality of measurement areas to scan the measurement areas; and a display portion for emitting visible light in response to detection of the characteristic return light from the measurement area which is being irradiated with the excitation light, wherein the display portion is arranged close to the excitation light emitting portion and the light receiving portion and on a side of the excitation light emitting portion and the light receiving portion that is opposite from the measurement area.