Scanning optical detection system

A system for optical detection of emitted radiation from at least one microlocation on an object including one or more microlocations to be examined, comprising:

• at least one light source providing excitation radiation characterized in that the diameter of the excitation radiation when illuminating the object is of the same diameter or less than the diameter of the microlocation to be examined,
• a confocal scanning system adapted to receive excitation energy and selectively direct the excitation energy to at least one microlocation thereon and to provide reflected radiation from the microlocation and emitted radiation from the microlocation,
• a first detector adapted to receive the reflected radiation and generate an output,
• a position detection system configured to receive the output of the first detector and based on the output determine position information regarding at least one microlocation,
• a control system coupled to the position detection system which causes, for each microlocation to be examined, the confocal scanning system to generally align with the microlocation, direct excitation radiation to the microlocation only when the confocal scanning system is aligned with the microlocation, and collect emitted radiation from the microlocation before moving to a next microlocation to be examined, and
• a second detector operatively positioned to receive the emitted radiation from the microlocation.

A system for optical detection of emitted radiation from microlocations on an object to be examined, comprising:

• a light source configured to generate light,
• a confocal scanning system adapted to receive the light and direct it to the object and to receive excitation radiation and direct it to one or more microlocations and to provide reflected radiation and emitted radiation from the microlocation,
• an excitation radiation source configured to generally only direct excitation radiation to the confocal scanning system when the confocal scanning system is aligned with a microlocation, the excitation radiation characterized in that the diameter of the excitation radiation when illuminating the microlocation is of the same diameter or less than the diameter of the microlocation to be examined,
• a first detector adapted to receive the reflected radiation and generate an output,
• a position detection system configured to receive the output of the first detector and based on the output determine position information regarding one or more microlocations,
• a control system coupled to the position detection system which causes the confocal scanning system to selectively align with the one or more microlocations based on the position information, wherein the one or more microlocations in sum are a subset of all the microlocations available for scanning on the object, and
• a second detector operatively positioned to receive the emitted radiation from the one or more microlocations, the second detector characterized in that the diameter of a microlocation examined by the detector is less than or equal to the diameter of the excitation radiation.

A system for optical detection of emitted radiation from microlocations on an object to be examined, comprising:

• a light source providing excitation radiation characterized in that the diameter of the excitation radiation when illuminating the microlocation is of the same diameter or less than the diameter of the microlocation to be examined,
• a confocal scanning system adapted to receive the excitation radiation and direct it to the microlocation and to provide reflected radiation and emitted radiation from the microlocation,
• a first detector adapted to receive the reflected radiation and a position detection system, the first detector having an output connected to a position detection system,
• a second detector operatively positioned to receive the emitted radiation from the microlocation, the detector characterized in that the diameter examined by the detector is less than or equal to the diameter of the excitation radiation,
• a control system coupled to the position detection system which causes the confocal scanning system to direct excitation radiation to a specific microlocation, and
• a rejection filter disposed between the confocal scanning system and the second detector, wherein the rejection filter rejections excitation radiation to a factor of 107.

A system for optical detection of emitted radiation from microlocations on an object to be examined, comprising:

• a light source providing excitation radiation characterized in that the diameter of the excitation radiation when illuminating the microlocation is of the same diameter or less than the diameter of the microlocation to be examined,
• a confocal scanning system adapted to receive the excitation radiation and direct it to the microlocation and to provide reflected radiation and emitted radiation from the microlocation,
• a first detector adapted to receive the reflected radiation and a position detection system, the first detector having an output connected to a position detection system,
• a second detector operatively positioned to receive the emitted radiation from the microlocation, the detector characterized in that the diameter examined by the detector is less than or equal to the diameter of the excitation radiation,
• a control system coupled to the position detection system which causes the confocal scanning system to direct excitation radiation to a specific microlocation, and
• a rejection filter disposed between the confocal scanning system and the second detector, wherein the rejection filter rejections excitation radiation to a factor of 1010.

A system for optical detection of emitted radiation from microlocations on an object to be examined, comprising:

• a light source providing excitation radiation characterized in that the diameter of the excitation radiation when illuminating the microlocation is of the same diameter or less than the diameter of the microlocation to be examined,
• a confocal scanning system adapted to receive the excitation radiation and direct it to the microlocation and to provide reflected radiation and emitted radiation from the microlocation,
• a first detector adapted to receive the reflected radiation and a position detection system, the first detector having an output connected to a position detection system,
• a second detector operatively positioned to receive the emitted radiation from the microlocation, the detector characterized in that the diameter examined by the detector is less than or equal to the diameter of the excitation radiation,
• a control system coupled to the position detection system which causes the confocal scanning system to direct excitation radiation to a specific microlocation, and
• a laser power monitor positioned to receive excitation radiation and output an indication of laser power.

A system for optical detection of emitted radiation from microlocations on an object to be examined, comprising:

• a light source providing excitation radiation characterized in that the diameter of the excitation radiation when illuminating the microlocation is of the same diameter or less than the diameter of the microlocation to be examined,
• a confocal scanning system adapted to receive the excitation radiation and direct it to the microlocation and to provide reflected radiation and emitted radiation from the microlocation,
• a first detector adapted to receive the reflected radiation and a position detection system, the first detector having an output connected to a position detection system,
• a second detector operatively positioned to receive the emitted radiation from the microlocation, the detector characterized in that the diameter examined by the detector is less than or equal to the diameter of the excitation radiation,
• a control system coupled to the position detection system which causes the confocal scanning system to direct excitation radiation to a specific microlocation, and
• a laser power monitor connected to the control system and positioned to receive excitation radiation and output an indication of laser power.