Patent ID: 8472111

Claim:
An apparatus for performing optical microscopy comprising: at least one light source including a deep ultraviolet light source configured to generate first light having a wavelength within a window in the deep ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum within which a local minimum in the absorption coefficient of oxygen occurs, wherein the wavelength is approximately 121.6 nm, and wherein the at least one light source is further configured to generate second light that includes visible light or near-ultraviolet light and that is directed toward a target location; a lens device that receives at least a first portion of the generated first light, directs at least some of the first portion of the generated first light toward the target location, receives reflected light from the target location, and directs at least some of the reflected light toward a further location, wherein a light path between the deep ultraviolet light source and the target location is other than at a high vacuum; and a camera device that is positioned at one of the further location and an additional location, wherein the camera device receives at least a second portion of the reflected light, whereby an image is generated by the camera device based upon the second portion of the reflected light, and the performing of the optical microscopy is allowed.