What’s a Fluorescence Microscope?

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A fluorescence microscope is a device used to examine the amount and type of fluorescence emitted by a sample. Unlike a conventional microscope, a fluorescence microscope creates readable images through the use of irradiation and filtration, rather than traditional reflection. This type of microscope is a vital tool in cellular and genetic research, including the production of three-dimensional images of microbes.

Fluorescence is a phenomenon that occurs when a material becomes excited, or more active, by exposure to radiation. As the material begins to calm down, the energy created by the excitation is emitted as light. In some substances, fluorescence is a natural property, meaning that no external irradiation is needed to cause light to be emitted. Other substances are not naturally fluorescent, but can become so when excited by the correct wavelength of light. A fluorescence microscope is the primary means of exciting and observing such materials.

In a fluorescence microscope, a sample can be struck with specifically selected light to create fluorescence. By using a filter, the microscope allows only the chosen wavelength to reach the sample, so as to ensure the best reaction. The light source used to create the fluorescence can vary depending on the type of fluorescence microscope and the specimen. One of the most common light sources used in fluorescent microscopy is a mercury vapor lamp, which creates extremely bright light. Another frequently used type of light is the xenon arc lamp, which produces light similar to daylight. In some situations, instead of traditional lights, lasers can be used.

Once the sample has been excited, a second filter becomes necessary to block the initial wavelength of light. Known as a beam splitter, this filter reflects light at a shorter wavelength than that used to excite the sample. This means that the image created under the microscope will not be contaminated by the initial light source, as the higher wavelength light will pass through the beam splitter. Therefore, the final image created will only reflect the fluorescent light from the sample itself.

The fluorescence microscope has many different applications throughout the scientific world. Most often, it is used in the study of cells and microorganisms, as it can pinpoint specific details in small samples with a high degree of accuracy and clarity. Medical and biological researchers often use fluorescence microscopy to study DNA and RNA, learn about the behavior and structural details of cells, and study antibodies to better understand disease.

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