Scanning microscope

A scanning microscope comprising:

• an open disk having a plurality of micro-openings that restrict a light flux of illumination light for irradiating a sample, the plurality of micro-openings being disposed so as to form an array about a center axis;
• a motor that rotates the open disk about the center axis;
• an objective lens that irradiates the sample with the illumination light that has passed through the micro-openings of the open disk being rotated about the center axis by the motor and that collects observation light emitted at the sample and causes the observation light to enter the micro-openings;
• a camera that acquires an image of the sample by repeatedly capturing the observation light that has been collected by the objective lens and that has passed through the micro-openings;
• a stimulation optical system comprising a stimulation light source that emits stimulation light and an optical fiber that irradiates the sample with the stimulation light;
• and
• a light modulation unit comprising circuitry and a hardware processor, the light modulation unit being configured to decrease an intensity of the stimulation light from the stimulation optical system during an exposure period of the camera and to increase the intensity of the stimulation light from the stimulation optical system during a read period in which image information is read out from the camera,
• wherein the read period is adjustable.