Illuminator elements for conventional light microscopes

• US 5,734,498 A
• Filed: 05/09/1994
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Tromberg, Bruce, Berns, Michael W., Krasieva, Tatiana, Dvornikov, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THONG Q
• Application Number:
  US08/239,683
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 359/368, 359/385-389, 250/458.1, 250/459.1, 250/310, 250/216, 250/397, 250/483.1, 356/317, 356/23, 356/332
• US Class Current: 359/387
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens

Abstract

An inexpensive, simple and easy-to-use illuminator element--consisting of chromophores, particularly fluorophores, and/or light-scattering bodies in a stable, typically a polymer plastic, matrix--completely replaces an infinite set of condensers for a optical microscope, and works equally well with microscope objective lenses of any and all numerical apertures. Illuminator elements of a fluorescent type are employed in combination with a primary source of light that is external to the illuminator element itself, and that is preferably but a simple incandescent light bulb. Nonetheless to be energized with spectrally impure light, each illuminator element produces spectrally pure light(s) of a predetermined color or colors, including a pseudo-white light. Sets of illuminator elements permit the ready production of colored light(s) of any desired spectral characteristics from primary light sources that are no more sophisticated, nor any more expensive, than common electric light bulbs. An illuminator element substantially eliminates most image artifacts while supporting imaging of a quality comparable to the best images obtainable with highest quality condensers correctly matched to the numerical aperture of a microscope'"'"'s objective lens. Illumination fully comparable to Koehler illumination is obtained virtually effortlessly simply by placing an illuminator element near, and normally directly upon, a specimen that is typically mounted upon a microscope slide.

Claims

1. An illuminator element for use with an optical microscope and a source of radiant energy, the illuminator element comprising:

an illumination body serving as a source of spatially isotropic light, the body

containing a multiplicity of minutely-sized substantially-non-directional light-sourcing bodies, at least some of which receive radiant energy from a source of radiant energy external to the body, the collective bodies sourcing light by any of (i) absorption and emission, and (ii) reflection, spatially distributed within

a stable matrix, relatively much larger than are the minutely-sized bodies, that is

suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned sufficiently closely proximate to a specimen under observation by an optical microscope so that the collective bodies illuminate the specimen so substantially spatially isotopically that no shadows are visible through the microscope;

wherein the lack of shadows means that isotropic light from the illumination body serves, when the illumination body is close to the specimen, to illuminate the specimen so completely that light rays received into the microscope from the specimen during the observation will not show any such partial darkness or obscurity in the specimen as would indicate that illumination of the specimen by the illumination body had been by less than spatially isotropic light, meaning light that is without distinction as to direction.

2. The illuminator element according to claim 1

wherein the spatially isotropic illuminating light is substantially only at single predetermined narrow of range frequencies as constitutes a single color.

3. The illuminator element according to claim 1

wherein the spatially isotropic illuminating light is substantially only at a plurality of predetermined narrow ranges of frequencies each of which ranges constitutes a single color.

4. The illuminator element according to claim 1

wherein the spatially isotropic illuminating light substantially only at the plurality of predetermined narrow ranges of frequencies is a pseudo-white light.

5. The illuminator element according to claim 1 wherein the source of spatially isotropic light comprises:

a great multiplicity of substantially-non-directional substantially-molecular-size light sources;

evenly spatially distributed within

a stable matrix suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to the specimen under observation by the microscope;

wherein the even distribution of the light sources coupled with their substantial lack of any preferred direction produces the substantially spatially isotopic illumination of the proximate specimen.

6. The illuminator element according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the great multiplicity of light sources comprises:

a luminescent light source emitting light.

7. The illuminator element according to claim 5 wherein the at least one luminescent light source derives an energy of its light emission from within the stable matrix.

8. The illuminator element according to claim 7 wherein the at least one luminescent light source comprises:

a radioluminescent light source deriving its energy of light emission from a decay of radionuclides that are within the stable matrix.

9. The illuminator element according to claim 7 wherein the at least one luminescent light source comprises:

a chemiluminescent light source deriving the energy of light emission from a chemical reaction that transpires within the stable matrix.

10. The illuminator element according to claim 5 wherein at least one luminescent light source derives an energy of its light emission from energy that is externally supplied to the stable matrix.

11. The illuminator element according to claim 5 wherein at least one luminescent light source deriving the energy of its light emission from energy that is externally supplied to the stable matrix so derives energy from light radiation that is externally supplied to the stable matrix.

12. The illuminator element according to claim 11 wherein the at least one luminescent light source comprises:

a fluorescent light source.

13. The illuminator element according to claim 5 wherein at least some of the great multiplicity of light sources comprise:

a multiplicity of light-scattering bodies randomly evenly distributed within the spatial matrix;

wherein a non-isotropic light externally supplied to the illuminator element is randomly scattered multiple times between random ones of the multiplicity of light-scattering bodies within the stable matrix so as to exit the stable matrix as the substantially spatially isotropic light regardless that the externally supplied light is not itself isotropic.

14. An illuminator element for use with a light microscope and a source of radiant energy, the illuminator element comprising:

a multiplicity of minutely-sized substantially-non-directional light-sourcing bodies, at least some of which receive radiant energy from a source of radiant energy external to the body, the collective bodies sourcing light by any of (i) absorption and emission, and (ii) reflection, spatially distributed within

a stable matrix of a body, relatively larger than are the minutely-sized bodies, that is

suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation by a microscope in order that the multiplicity of bodies illuminate the specimen substantially spatially isotopically;

wherein the specimen is illuminated so substantially isotopically by the multiplicity of light-sourcing bodies for and during its observation through the light microscope that no shadows are visible through the microscope.

15. The illuminator element according to claim 14

wherein the multiplicity of light-sourcing bodies are substantially evenly distributed within the stable matrix of the larger body.

16. The illuminator element according to claim 15

wherein the multiplicity of light-sourcing bodies are substantially evenly randomly distributed within the stable matrix of the larger body.

17. The illuminator element according to claim 14

wherein the stable matrix of the larger body is translucent to the illumination.

18. The illuminator element according to claim 14

wherein the stable matrix of the larger body is transparent to the illumination.

19. The illuminator element according to claim 14 wherein the at least one of the multiplicity of light-sourcing bodies comprises:

a chromophore, defined as a chemical group that gives rise to color in a molecule.

20. The illuminator element according to claim 19 wherein the chromophore comprises:

a chemical group having the aspect of a color light source, defined as a light source describable in terms of hue, brightness and saturation.

21. The illuminator element according to claim 20 wherein the chemical group having the aspect of a color light source comprises:

a luminescent chemical for emitting colored luminescent light.

22. The illuminator element according to claim 21 for use with an external source of excitation radiation wherein the luminescent chemical comprises:

a fluorescent chemical for emitting fluorescent light responsive to the absorption of excitation radiation from the external source thereof.

23. The illuminator element according to claim 22 wherein the fluorescent chemical comprises:

a fluorophore for emitting fluorescent light having a predetermined optical spectrum, the spectrum having a peak substantially at but a single color.

24. The illuminator element according to claim 23 wherein the fluorophore consists essentially of:

rhodamine.

25. The illuminator element according to claim 23 wherein the fluorescent chemical comprises:

a plurality of fluorophores for emitting fluorescent light at an associated plurality of optical spectrum, a composite emitted light spectra formed by combination of all the plurality of optical spectrum being a pseudo-white light.

26. The illuminator element according to claim 25 wherein the plurality of fluorophores are drawn from the group consisting of

rhodamine;

coumarin; and

sulforhodamine.

27. The illuminator element according to claim 23 further comprising:

a great multiplicity of light-scattering bodies also held within the stable matrix of the larger body;

wherein the great multiplicity of light-scattering bodies collectively serve to promote the random direction, and isotropy, of the fluorescent light from the light-sourcing bodies that is scattered onto the specimen by action of the light-scattering bodies.

28. The illuminator element according to claim 27 wherein the great multiplicity of light-scattering bodies have a refractive index higher than the stable matrix of the larger body within which stable matrix and larger body both the great multiplicity of light-scattering bodies and the multiplicity of light-sourcing bodies are held.

29. The illuminator element according to claim 27 wherein at least some of the great multiplicity of light-scattering bodies comprise:

titanium dioxide.

30. The illuminator element according to claim 19 wherein the chromophore comprises:

a chemical group having the aspect of a colored object, defined as an object describable in terms of hue, lightness and saturation;

and wherein the illuminator element further comprises;

a great multiplicity of light-scattering bodies also held within the stable matrix of the larger body.

31. The illuminator element according to claim 30 for use with an external source of light wherein the chemical group having the aspect of a colored object comprises:

a colored chemical for absorbing some of the frequencies, and for transmitting other of the frequencies, of the light from the external source thereof;

wherein the chemical assumes the color of the frequencies of the light that it transmits; and

wherein the great multiplicity of light-scattering bodies collectively serve to promote the random direction, and isotropy, of the light transmitted by the colored chemical and scattered onto the specimen.

32. The illuminator element according to claim 31 wherein the colored chemical reflects light having a predetermined optical spectrum, the spectrum having a peak substantially at but a single frequency corresponding to a single color.

33. The illuminator element according to claim 32 wherein the colored chemical consists essentially of:

green dye transmitting green light.

34. The illuminator element according to claim 31 wherein the colored chemical comprises:

a plurality of individual chemicals each reflecting light at an associated plurality of optical spectrum, a composite reflected light spectra formed by combination of all the plurality of optical spectrum constituting a pseudo-white light.

35. The illuminator element according to claim 34 wherein the plurality of individual chemicals consists essentially of:

red dye reflecting red light;

blue dye reflecting blue light; and

green dye reflecting green light.

36. The illuminator element according to claim 14 for use with an external source of light, which illuminator element already comprises the multiplicity of substantially-non-directional minutely-sized light-sourcing bodies, further comprising:

a multiplicity of light-scattering bodies collectively scattering light received from the external source thereof onto the specimen at a low loss;

wherein the specimen is indirectly, isotopically, illuminated by the external source of light.

37. The illuminator element according to claim 36 for use with a incandescent tungsten external light source wherein the multiplicity of light-scattering bodies comprise:

titanium dioxide.

38. The illuminator element according to claim 36 for use with an external source of daylight wherein the multiplicity of light-scattering bodies comprise:

titanium dioxide.

39. The illuminator element according to claim 14 wherein the larger body comprises:

an optically flat surface positioned flat against a substantially flat specimen.

40. The illuminator element according to claim 14 wherein the stable matrix of the larger body is drawn from a group of transparent materials consisting essentially of

polymer plastic;

and glass.

41. The illuminator element according to claim 14 further comprising:

an adjustable iris situated between the matrix containing the light source means and the specimen;

wherein the opening of the iris may be reduced in aperture to enhance contrast of the illumination of the specimen by the light source means at a corresponding trade-off in the resolution of the illumination of the specimen.

42. An illuminator for use with a microscope and a source of radiant energy, the illuminator comprising:

a multiplicity of luminescent light-sourcing bodies each for producing luminescent light in a random direction in response to receipt of radiant energy from a source of radiant energy, a collective multiplicity of luminescent light-sourcing bodies serving when all held en masse to produce a spatially isotropic light illumination;

contained within

a relatively larger body having a stable matrix holding the light-sourcing bodies en masse, the larger body suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation through a light microscope in order that the specimen is illuminated for observation through the microscope with spatially isotropic luminescent light from the multiplicity of luminescent light-sourcing bodies.

43. An illuminator for use with a microscope and a source of anisotropic light, the illuminator comprising:

a great multiplicity of light-direction-randomizing bodies,

each light-direction-randomizing body of a size on the order of a wavelength of light,

each light-direction-randomizing body serving to do one of (i) absorb and emit in a random direction light from the anisotropic source thereof, and re-absorb and re-emit light from others of the great multiplicity of light-direction-randomizing bodies, and (ii) scatter in a random direction light from the anisotropic source thereof, and also from others of the great multiplicity of light-direction-randomizing bodies,

the great multiplicity of light-direction-randomizing bodies randomly spatially distributed within

a stable matrix suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation with the microscope;

wherein the great multiplicity of light sources randomly distributed in space absorb and emit, re-absorb and re-emit, and scatter the anisotropic light from the source thereof into a vast multiplicity of light wave fronts which, when exiting the illuminator at less than a critical angle, are propagating in diverse directions.

44. The illuminator according to claim 43 further for use with a source of light, wherein the great multiplicity of light-direction-randomizing bodies are drawn from the group consisting essentially of:

chromophores; and

light-scattering particles;

wherein the chromophores and the light-scattering particles serve to re-direct and randomize light received from the anisotropic external source thereof into the great multiplicity of light wave fronts exiting the illuminator in diverse directions.

45. The illuminator according to claim 43 further for use with a source of light, wherein the great multiplicity of light-direction-randomizing bodies comprise:

luminescent fluorophores;

wherein the fluorophores serve to absorb and emit, re-absorb and re-emit, anisotropic light received from the external source thereof into the great multiplicity of light wave fronts exiting the illuminator in diverse directions;

wherein the luminescent fluorophores also serve to transform in frequency light received from the external source thereof.

46. An illuminator for use with both a source of excitation radiation and a microscope for purposes of illuminating a specimen under observation with the microscope, the illuminator comprising:

a fluorescent chemical for emitting fluorescent light in a random direction responsive to absorption of excitation radiation from a source thereof;

spatially distributed and contained within

a stable matrix of a body suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation through a microscope;

wherein the body that fluorescent chemical illuminates the specimen for observation through the microscope with randomly-directed fluorescent light.

47. The illuminator according to claim 46 wherein the fluorescent chemical is present within the body'"'"'s stable matrix in only such amount as avoids any such self-quenching of emitted fluorescent light as would result in an unequal intensity of the emitted fluorescent light illuminating the specimen nonetheless that such light is randomly-directed;

wherein the illuminator is called brightfield for producing a fluorescent light output that is everywhere equally intense.

48. The illuminator according to claim 46

wherein the fluorescent chemical is present within the body'"'"'s stable matrix in such amount as causes a self-quenching of emitted fluorescent light, which self-quenching is detectable as an unequal intensity of the emitted fluorescent light illuminating the specimen nonetheless that such light is randomly-directed;

wherein the illuminator is called darkfield for producing a fluorescent light output that is variable and unequal in illumination of the specimen.

49. An illuminator for use with both a source of light and a microscope for illuminating a specimen under observation with the microscope, the illuminator comprising:

light-scattering bodies for reflecting light at low loss;

spatially distributed within

a stable matrix suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen;

wherein the light-scattering bodies collectively scatter at low loss and in all directions light received from the source thereof;

wherein when the specimen is positioned proximate to the stable matrix containing the light-scattering bodies then it is illuminated for observation through the microscope with isotropic light, which light originally arose from the source thereof was subsequently scattered by the light-scattering bodies;

wherein the specimen is indirectly illuminated by the external source of light.

50. A selective-frequency-range illuminator for use with both

a primary source of light over a broad first range of frequencies, and

a microscope, the illuminator serving to produce secondary light within a predetermined narrow second range of frequencies, narrower than the first range, for illuminating a specimen that is under observation with the microscope, the illuminator comprising:

luminescent chromophores responsive to received light over a narrow first range of frequencies to emit light only over, and within, a predetermined second range of frequencies, the second range of frequencies being narrower than the first range of frequencies;

randomly evenly distributed within

a stable matrix suitably sized and shaped so as to concurrently (i) intercept the light over the first range of frequencies from the primary source of light, while (ii) being positioned closely proximate to the specimen under observation with the microscope;

wherein the luminescent chromophores within the stable matrix serve to produce the secondary light within the second range of frequencies responsive to their interception of the light that is within the broad first range of frequencies.

51. A method of illuminating a specimen located on a specimen stage of an optical microscope for observation with the microscope, the method comprising in combination the steps of

placing a source of spatially isotropic light so closely proximate to the specimen that the specimen is substantially spatially isotropically illuminated;

and

observing the specimen as illuminated by the source of isotropic light illumination through the microscope;

wherein the placing to substantially spatially isotropically illuminate the specimen, and the observing of the specimen so substantially spatially isotropically illuminated, are, in combination, such as to make that no shadows are observable on the specimen during the observing.

52. The method according to claim 51 wherein the placing serves to locate the source of spatially isotropic light illumination in contact with one of the specimen, a microscope slide upon which the specimen is mounted, and a cover slip.

53. The method according to claim 51

wherein the source of spatially isotropic light illumination placed proximately to the specimen is an energy-consuming luminescent light source producing spatially isotropic luminescent light illumination, and wherein the method further comprises:

renewing a source of energy serving to energize the luminescent light emission of the luminescent light source as required.

54. The method according to claim 53 wherein the luminescent source placed proximately to the specimen is a fluorescent light source responsive to excitation radiation to emit fluorescent light, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing excitation radiation to the fluorescent light source so as to cause it to emit fluorescent light by which the specimen is observed.

55. The method according to claim 54 wherein the providing excitation radiation to the fluorescent light source comprises:

providing light radiation that has passed through at least a portion of the microscope prior to exciting the fluorescent element.

56. The method according to claim 54 wherein the providing excitation radiation to the fluorescent light source comprises:

providing light radiation that has passed through an objective lens of the microscope prior to exciting the fluorescent element.

57. The method according to claim 54 wherein the step of providing excitation radiation comprises:

exciting the fluorescent element with radiation having a first spectrum so as to cause it to produce light having a second spectrum, by which second-spectrum light the specimen is observable through the microscope.

58. The method according to claim 57

wherein the exciting of the fluorescent element is with light radiation.

59. The method according to claim 58

wherein the exciting of the fluorescent element is with light radiation that is visible.

60. The method according to claim 53 wherein the luminescent source placed proximately to the specimen is a fluorescent light source containing a plurality of different types of fluorophores each of which types is excited by radiation to produce a different associated emission light spectrum, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing excitation radiation to the fluorescent light source so as to cause it to emit at least two different spectrums of fluorescent light collectively forming a composite spectra, by which composite spectra light the specimen is observed.

61. The method according to claim 60 wherein the providing of excitation radiation is from a single source thereof which radiation source produces radiation sufficient to excite fluorescence of both different types of fluorophores simultaneously.

62. The method according to claim 53 wherein the luminescent source placed proximately to the specimen is a fluorescent light source containing a plurality of different types of fluorophores collectively excited by radiation to produce a pseudo-white light emission light spectra, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing excitation radiation to the fluorescent light source so as to cause it to emit the pseudo-white light spectra of fluorescent light by which the specimen is observed.

63. The method according to claim 62 wherein the providing of excitation radiation is from a single source thereof which radiation source produces radiation sufficient to excite fluorescence of the plurality of different types of fluorophores simultaneously.

64. The method according to claim 53 wherein placing not only serves to locate the source of spatially isotropic luminescent light illumination proximately to the specimen but further, additionally, serves to locate a multiplicity of non-absorbing, highly-reflective light-scattering bodies proximately to the specimen for collectively isotropically scattering the luminescent light onto the specimen.

65. A method of illuminating a specimen for observation with a microscope, the method comprising in combination the steps of

placing a specimen to be observed on a specimen stage of a microscope;

placing a fluorescent element proximate to the specimen; and

causing the fluorescent element to produce electromagnetic radiation by which the specimen is observable through the microscope.

66. A method of illuminating a specimen for observation with a microscope, the method comprising in combination the steps of

placing a specimen to be observed on a specimen stage of a microscope;

placing a block consisting essentially of (i) at least one fluorescent dye in a (ii) stable matrix, proximate to the specimen; and

illuminating the block with radiation so as to cause the at least one fluorescent dye within the block to emit radiation by which the specimen is observable through the microscope.

67. A method of illuminating a specimen for observation with an optical microscope, the method comprising in combination the steps of

placing a specimen to be observed on a specimen stage of an optical microscope;

placing a block consisting essentially of (i) a plurality of different fluorescent dyes each having an associated emission spectrum and collectively having an emission spectra of pseudo-white light, in a (ii) polymer matrix, proximate to the specimen; and

illuminating the block with light radiation so as to cause the plurality of fluorescent dyes within the block to emit pseudo-white light by which the specimen is observable through the optical microscope.

68. An illuminator element for use with an electromagnetic radiation microscope, the illuminator element consisting essentially of:

a fluorescent material that is, by definition, capable emitting electromagnetic radiation resulting from and during the absorption of excitation radiation from an external source thereof, in

an electromagnetic-radiation-transparent stable matrix for supporting the fluorescent material;

wherein the element is sized and shaped so as to suitably be positioned closely proximate to a specimen to be observed by and through the electromagnetic radiation microscope in order that, upon and during absorption of the excitation radiation from the external source by the fluorescent material of the element, the fluorescent material of the element will illuminate the specimen with emitted electromagnetic radiation suitably intense so as to permit observation of the specimen under this emitted electromagnetic radiation by, and with, the electromagnetic microscope.

69. The illuminator element according to claim 68 further consisting essentially of

a material reflecting and dispersing the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the fluorescent material.

70. The illuminator according to claim 68 further comprising:

a source of excitation radiation for illuminating the element and the fluorescent material of the element.

71. The illuminator element according to claim 68 wherein the element is in the shape of a disk.

72. The illuminator element according to claim 71 wherein the disk-shaped element is of a diameter between 2 mm and 20 mm and a thickness between 1 mm and 10 mm.

73. The illuminator element according to claim 68 wherein the element is in the shape of a parallelepiped body.

74. The illuminator element according to claim 73 wherein the parallelepiped-body-shaped element has a first dimensions between 2 mm and 20 mm, a second dimension between 2 mm and 20 mm, and a third dimension between 1 mm and 10 mm.

75. The illuminator element according to claim 68 wherein the fluorescent material consists essentially of

fluorescent fluorophores.

76. The illuminator element according to claim 75 wherein the fluorescent fluorophores are of a plurality of types each of which types has an associated fluorescence spectrum.

77. The illuminator element according to claim 76 wherein the plurality of types of fluorescent fluorophores collectively have a fluorescence spectra that substantially appears as white light to human vision.

78. The illuminator element according to claim 68 wherein the element'"'"'s fluorescent material emits visible light in response to excitation.

79. The illuminator element according to claim 78 wherein the element'"'"'s fluorescent material illuminates the specimen with each of three primary colors of visible light so as to form a pseudo-white light.

80. The illuminator element according to claim 68 wherein the element'"'"'s fluorescent material is heterogeneous, illuminating the specimen with plurality of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation in response to radiation excitation that is substantially of only one frequency.

81. The illuminator element according to claim 68 wherein the an electromagnetic-radiation-transparent stable matrix consists essentially of

polymer.

82. An illuminator element for use with an optical microscope, the illuminator element consisting essentially of

a fluorescent dye that is, by definition, capable emitting light resulting from and during the absorption of excitation radiation from an external source thereof,

reflective material for reflecting and dispersing the light emitted by the fluorescent dye;

and

a polymer block, substantially transparent to light, for supporting the fluorescent dye and the reflective material in a matrix;

wherein the element is sized and shaped so as to suitably be positioned closely proximate to a specimen to be observed by and through the optical microscope in order that, upon and during absorption of the excitation radiation from the external source by the element'"'"'s fluorescent dye, the element'"'"'s fluorescent dye will illuminate the specimen with emitted light suitably intense so as to permit observation of the specimen under this emitted light by, and with, the optical microscope.

83. An illuminator element for use with an optical microscope, the illuminator element consisting essentially of

a fluorescent dye that is, by definition, capable emitting light resulting from and during the absorption of excitation radiation from an external source thereof,

reflective material for reflecting and dispersing the light emitted by the fluorescent dye;

and

a cylindrically-shaped polymer block, substantially transparent to light, for supporting the fluorescent dye and the reflective material in a matrix;

wherein the polymer block is sized and shaped so as to suitably be positioned closely proximate to a specimen to be observed by and through the optical microscope in order that, upon and during absorption of the excitation radiation from the external source by the element'"'"'s fluorescent dye, the element'"'"'s fluorescent dye will illuminate the specimen with emitted light suitably intense so as to permit observation of the specimen under this emitted light by, and with, the optical microscope; and

wherein the fluorescent dye is present in such a density so as to cause the fluorescence to be self-quenching, producing a more intense light emission towards the circumference of the cylindrically-shaped polymer block than along an imaginary central axis thereof.

84. An illuminator element for use with an optical microscope, the illuminator element consisting essentially of

a plurality of different fluorescent dyes each responsive to radiation from an external source thereof for emitting light at an associated emission spectrum, and collectively having an emission spectra of white light,

reflective material for reflecting and dispersing the light emitted by the fluorescent dyes;

and

a polymer block, substantially transparent to light, for supporting the fluorescent dyes and the reflective material in a matrix;

wherein the element is sized and shaped so as to suitably be positioned closely proximate to a specimen to be observed by and through the optical microscope in order that, upon and during absorption of the excitation radiation from the external source by the element'"'"'s fluorescent dyes, the element'"'"'s fluorescent dyes will illuminate the specimen with emitted white light suitably intense so as to permit observation of the specimen under this emitted light by, and with, the optical microscope.

85. An illumination system for an optical microscope comprising:

an illuminator means, suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation by an optical microscope, for emitting in response to excitation radiation a substantially spatially isotopic light that, when the illuminator means is so positioned closely proximate the specimen, serves to illuminate the specimen substantially spatially isotropically; and

an excitation radiation source means for providing excitation radiation to the illuminator means so as to cause it to emit the substantially spatially isotropic light.

86. A system for producing magnified images comprising:

an optical microscope;

an illuminator means, suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation by the optical microscope, for emitting in response to excitation radiation a substantially spatially isotopic light that, when the illuminator means is so placed proximate to the specimen, serves to illuminate the specimen; and

an excitation radiation source means for providing excitation radiation to the illuminator means so as to cause it to emit the substantially isotropic light when it is positioned proximate to the specimen under observation through the optical microscope.

87. An illuminator element for use with an optical microscope and with a source of excitation radiation, the illuminator element comprising:

a material that is capable of converting incident excitation radiation into light of a predetermined frequency;

borne by

a stable body suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation by an optical microscope;

wherein excitation radiation incident upon the material is converted thereby to light of the predetermined frequency by which predetermined frequency light the specimen is observable through the optical microscope.

88. The illuminator element according to claim 87

wherein the light of the predetermined frequency is isotropic in illumination of the closely proximate specimen, illuminating the specimen for observation evenly and without distinction as to direction;

where the specimen is illuminated for observation without shadows.

89. The illuminator element according to claim 87 wherein the stable body consists essentially of:

polymer plastic.

90. The illuminator element according to claim 87 wherein the stable body is in the shape of a regular geometric solid.

91. The illuminator element according to claim 87 wherein the material consists essentially of

chromophores.

92. The illuminator element according to claim 91 wherein the chromophores consist essentially of

fluorophores.

93. The illuminator element according to claim 92 wherein the fluorophores consist essentially of

a plurality of fluorescent compounds each having an associated fluorescence emission spectrum.

94. The illuminator element according to claim 93 wherein the plurality of fluorescent compounds collectively have a fluorescence spectra that constitutes a pseudo-white light.

95. The illuminator element according to claim 91 wherein the chromophores consist essentially of

pigments.

96. The illuminator element according to claim 91 wherein the chromophores consist essentially of

a plurality of pigments each having an associated light reflection spectrum.

97. The illuminator element according to claim 87 wherein the illuminator serves to illuminate the specimen with visible fluorescent light.

98. The illuminator element according to claim 87 wherein the illuminator serves to illuminate the specimen with each of three primary colors of visible fluorescent light.

99. The illuminator element according to claim 87 wherein the illuminator serves to illuminates the specimen with a plurality of predetermined frequencies of radiation in response to an incident excitation radiation that is substantially of only one frequency.

100. The illuminator element according to claim 87 wherein the illuminator serves to illuminate the specimen with visible fluorescent light in response to an incident excitation radiation that is invisible.

101. A method of illuminating a specimen located on a specimen stage of an optical microscope for and during observation with, and along an optical axis of, the microscope, the method comprising in combination the steps of

positioning an illuminator element that is capable of producing from incident radiation a predetermined frequency of light radiation closely proximate to a specimen under observation by an optical microscope;

and

supplying radiation from a source of radiation to the illuminator element so that the radiation is incident thereon from any direction not along the optical axis of the microscope;

wherein the illuminator element produces from the radiation incident thereon the predetermined light radiation; and

observing by the predetermined frequency light radiation through the microscope the specimen.

102. The method according to claim 101 for observing a specimen mounted upon a microscope slide wherein the positioning comprises:

setting the illuminator element in contact with the specimen as mounted upon the microscope slide.

103. The method according to claim 101 for observing a specimen mounted upon a microscope slide wherein the supplying radiation comprises:

illuminating with light from an incandescent light bulb.

104. An illumination system for an optical microscope comprising:

an illuminator means, suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation by an optical microscope, for providing in response to broad-spectrum, multi-frequency, excitation radiation a substantially monochromatic light narrowly centered about a single frequency which light serves to illuminate the specimen when the illuminator means is so positioned proximate to the specimen; and

an excitation radiation source means for providing the broad spectrum, multi-frequency, excitation radiation to the illuminator means when it is positioned closely proximate to the specimen under observation by the optical microscope.

105. A system for producing magnified images comprising:

an optical microscope;

an illuminator means, suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation by an optical microscope, for providing in response to broad-spectrum, multi-frequency, excitation radiation a substantially monochromatic light narrowly centered about a single frequency which light serves to illuminate the specimen when the illuminator means is so positioned proximate to the specimen; and

an excitation radiation source means for providing the broad spectrum, multi-frequency, excitation radiation to the illuminator means when it is positioned closely proximate to the specimen under observation by the optical microscope.

106. The system for producing magnified images according to claim 105 wherein the illuminator means comprises:

a material that is capable of converting incident excitation radiation into light of a predetermined frequency;

borne by

a stable body suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to a specimen under observation by an optical microscope;

wherein excitation radiation incident upon the material is converted thereby to light of the predetermined frequency by which predetermined frequency light the specimen is observable.

107. To and for use with

an optical microscope,

a specimen under observation with and through the microscope, and

a source of light for illuminating the specimen that is under observation;

an improvement comprising;

an illuminator element consisting essentially of

a great multiplicity of particles of a first photochromic chemical, which photochromic chemical produces secondary light when appropriately stimulated by a primary light radiation, which particles are each of a size on the order of a wavelength of light, randomly spatially distributed within

a matrix of a second material suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to the specimen under observation with the microscope;

wherein the great multiplicity of particles randomly distributed within the matrix of the second material are appropriately stimulated by primary light radiation from the source of light to produce a corresponding great multiplicity of secondary light wave fronts in random directions;

wherein ones of the random-direction secondary light wave fronts arising from the great multiplicity of spatially-randomly-distributed particles intercept a specimen when the illuminator element is positioned close to the specimen, illuminating the specimen evenly from all directions at which the closely-positioned illuminator element is present.

108. The improvement according to claim 107 wherein the photochromic chemical produces the secondary right by process of fluorescence.

109. The improvement according to claim 107 wherein the photochromic chemical produces the secondary light by process of transmission.

110. To and for use with

an optical microscope,

a specimen under observation with and through the microscope, and

a source of light for illuminating the specimen that is under observation;

an improvement comprising;

an illuminator consisting essentially of

a great multiplicity of particles of a fluorescent chemical, which fluorescent chemical emits secondary light of a predetermined spectrum when appropriately stimulated by a primary light radiation, randomly spatially distributed within

a stable matrix of a second material suitably sized and shaped so as to be positioned closely proximate to the specimen under observation with the microscope;

wherein the great multiplicity of particles randomly distributed in space are appropriately stimulated by primary light radiation from the source of light so as to produce secondary light emission at the predetermined spectrum by which secondary light emission the specimen is observable though the microscope.