Abstract: A confocal scanning beam optical imaging or mapping system for macroscopic samples is disclosed, in which an expanded laser beam passes through a scan system and a telecentric laser scan lens focuses the beam to a moving spot in the sample. Light reflected (or emitted) from the illuminated spot is collected by the laser scan lens, descanned by the scan system, and detected by a confocal detector. Confocal transmitted-light and non-confocal versions are also disclosed. This new scanning beam laser imaging system performs a rapid scan of a large sample with optical image slicing capability (using the confocal detector). Applications include fluorescent imaging of large biomedical specimens, including fluorescent gels, photoluminescence mapping of semiconductor samples, etc.