Illumination and detection systems for quantitative fluorescence microscopy

Systems are described for the illumination and detection of light microscope images of fluorescence in living cells at low levels of excitation. The illumination system is based on the use of an acousto-optic modulator to control the wavelength and power of the excitation beam. The detection system utilizes an image intensifier coupled with a television camera to acquire images at extremely low intensities. Both the illumination and detection systems have superior performance compared to existing devices.