AN ADJUSTABLE TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTANCE MICROSCOPY (TIRFM) ILLUMINATOR APPARATUS

摘要

A new apparatus and method of delivering light to the hack aperture of a High. Numerical Aperture (NA) Microscopy Objective lens for Total Internal Reflectance Microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The apparatus and method include pumping light generated by a laser through an optical fiber which is optically coupled to the objective lens by a co!limating optical element, such as, for example a lens or prism. The apparatus and method also include providing a fiber axial translator which is mechanically adjustable lor focusing the laser light optically coupled to the objective lens. The apparatus also includes a mechanical coupler for mechanically coupling the apparatus to the object lens such that the laser light optically coupled to the objective lens can be adjusted to exceed, or not exceed, a critical angle associated with TIRFM illumination.