Abstract: A fluorescence spectrometer (10) includes an excitation light source (12) and an excitation light input mirror (14) for reflecting excitation light produced by the light source and directing the light along a spectrometer light path (24). A reflecting arrangement (16) receives the excitation light directed along the spectrometer light path (24) and focuses the excitation light along a sample light path (20) to a distant focal point (32) at which a sample may be located. The reflecting arrangement (16) also serves to collect light emitted or reflected from the sample at the distant focal point (32) and to reflect the collected or returned light back along the spectrometer light path (24) in a direction opposite to the direction of the excitation light.