System and methods of dichroic free fluorescence illumination using reflective objective lenses

A microscope system for illuminating a fluorophore comprising:

• an excitation light source;
• a microscope comprising:
• a mirror-based objective supporting an objective collar;
• a tube configured to receive an excitation light beam directed parallel to an optical axis of the mirror-based objective, a first end of the tube connected to a reflective element positioning adapter;
• a first reflective element positioned to reflect the excitation light beam, the first reflective element disposed in the reflective element positioning adapter that is movable in two or more axes, the reflective element positioning adapter connected to the first end of the tube and connected to the objective collar;
• a second reflective element positioned horizontally and in line with the first reflective element and disposed on a center support element, the second reflective element configured to reflect the excitation light beam into a sample to cause fluorescence of the fluorophore in the sample;
• and
• a light diffuser unit positioned above the second reflective element and held in position by a light diffuser support component attached to the objective collar, wherein the light diffuser unit is configured to adjust an illumination profile of the excitation light beam to illuminate the fluorophore.