Imaging system, methodology, and applications employing reciprocal space optical design

A method for generating a digital image, comprising:

• adapting a sensor having one or more pixels to diffraction-limited characteristics of an optical system, the pixels scaled in size by the optical system to be about the size of the diffraction-limited characteristics of a collection lens associated with the optical system;
• synchronizing power strobing of a light emitting diode with a scan step frequency of a fluorescence system;
• generating high current and short duration pulses through the light emitting diode to provide intense periods of brightness yet protecting the diode from excess power dissipation;
• generating an epi-fluorescence beam of energy in the optical system;
• and
• scanning the beam over an object to generate the digital image.

A system for generating a digital image, comprising:

• means for scaling sensor pixels to be about a size of a diffraction-limited parameter associated with a collection lens;
• means for synchronizing power strobing of a light emitting diode with a scan step frequency of a fluorescence system;
• means for generating high current and short duration pulses through the light emitting diode to provide intense periods of brightness yet protecting the diode from excess power dissipation;
• means for generating an epi-fluorescence source of energy to excite an object;
• and
• means for pulsing the energy source to generate the digital image.