TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION MICROSCOPE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING FLUORESCENT SAMPLE

摘要

Disclosed is a total internal reflection microscope whereby single-molecule fluorescence can be observed while controlling the temperature of a sample solution using a temperature control device and avoiding autofluorescence from the temperature control device. Specifically disclosed is a total internal reflection microscope provided with a prism and a temperature control device, wherein openings are formed in the parts, through which incident light and reflected light pass respectively, of the temperature control device, or said parts comprise a material which produces less autofluorescence than materials employed in other parts.  Since the autofluorescence of the temperature control device can be thus regulated, the fluorescence can be observed at a high sensitivity while highly accurately controlling the temperature of the sample solution, which makes it possible, for example, to improve the throughput of a single molecule DNA sequence with the use of the total internal reflection microscope.