Imaging system with means for sensing a filtered fluorescent emission

摘要

An improved imaging system operates at the diffraction limit of the optics to which it is connected and outputs a signal representative of the sample S lying in the sample plane 17. The imaging system comprises a cathode ray tube 30, an optical lens system and a means for sensing 40. The cathode ray tube 30 comprises an electron gun 34 for generating an electron beam 35 in a raster pattern. The raster pattern comprises a predetermined number of horizontal lines that are spaced vertically from each other a predetermined and equal distance. The electron beam is adapted to produce an illuminated spot 39a that scans correspondingly in the raster pattern and wherein the spot 39a is positioned in an object plane 26. The optical lens system for focusing in a diffraction limited manner, the object plane 26 on to the sample plane 17, such that the image of the spot 39b is the smallest diffraction limited size as determined by the optical lens system.PP The imaging system also includes both transmitted and reflected light operation in white and fluorescence modes including dual imaging between any two options. Additional modes include zoom and contrast enhancement/suppression capabilities.