Fluorescence stereo microscope illuminator

A method for illuminating samples in a stereo microscope, having first and second optical paths, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating an illumination light;
• reflecting, with a first dichroic mirror substantially one-half of said illumination light down said first optical path of said stereo microscope;
• reflecting, with a second dichroic mirror, substantially all of said illumination light not reflected down said first optical path, down said second optical path of said stereo microscope;
• and
• illuminating a sample with said illumination light reflected down said first and second optical paths, wherein illumination of said sample is evenly distributed through said first and second optical paths.

A stereo microscope comprising:

• a body;
• first and second optical paths disposed within said body;
• an illumination source coupled to said body of said stereo microscope for generating illumination light;
• and
• an integral filter module comprising first and second dichroic mirrors and first and second filters, said filter module being slidable in and out of said body, such that when said filter module is out of said body said first and second optical paths provide clear optical paths for observing light transmitted from a sample, and when said filter module is in said body said first dichroic mirror reflects a first portion of said illumination light down said first optical path and passes a second portion of said illumination light to said second dichroic mirror;
• and said second dichroic mirror reflects said second portion of said illumination light received from said first dichroic mirror down said second optical path, and said first and second optical paths including said first and second filters enable observation of light transmitted from the sample to be viewed via said first and second filters.