Abstract: A super-resolution observation device includes an illumination optical system collecting a first illuminating light having a first optical frequency ?1 on a first region of an observation object, collecting a second illuminating light having a second optical frequency ?2? on a second region partially overlapping the first region, and collecting a third illuminating light having a third optical frequency ?2 on a third region containing a non-overlap region which is a region of the first region and does not overlap the second region; and an extraction unit extracting a signal light generated in accordance with a change in an energy level of a substance in the non-overlap region from a light generated in all of the first region, the second region, and the third region.

Abstract: A super-resolution observation device includes an illumination optical system collecting a first illuminating light having a first optical frequency co, on a first region of an observation object, collecting a second illuminating light having a second optical frequency ?2? on a second region partially overlapping the first region, and collecting a third illuminating light having a third optical frequency ?2 on a third region containing a non-overlap region which is a region of the first region and does not overlap the second region; and an extraction unit extracting a signal light generated in accordance with a change in an energy level of a substance in the non-overlap region from a light generated in all of the first region, the second region, and the third region.

Abstract: Slit-scanning confocal microscopes are disclosed having a slit-like light source, an illumination optical system, and an imaging optical system. The illumination optical system forms an image of the light source on a sample. The imaging optical system forms an image of the illuminated sample on a line sensor. The line sensor is situated optically conjugate to the light source and receives light from the sample as reflected light, transmitted light, or fluorescence light. The slit-like light source is divided into unit light sources each having a size that is optically conjugate to a respective pixel of the line sensor.

Abstract: A confocal microscope with improved light use efficiency is provided. Thus, the confocal microscope has a section which concentrates illumination light to a target point of a specimen and non-target points adjacent thereto for simultaneous illumination; a section which receives light entering into a light reception portion conjugated with the target point, without distinguishing light emitted from the target point and light emitted from the non-target points, and outputs a light reception signal according to the intensity of the light; a section which changes the number of non-target points and successively captures the light reception signals before and after the change in the number of the target points; and a section which generates a confocal signal according to intensity of light emitted from the target point, based on a relationship between the captured light reception signals and the number of non-target points.

Abstract: A confocal microscope with improved light use efficiency is provided. Thus, the confocal microscope has a section which concentrates illumination light to a target point of a specimen and non-target points adjacent thereto for simultaneous illumination; a section which receives light entering into a light reception portion conjugated with the target point, without distinguishing light emitted from the target point and light emitted from the non-target points, and outputs a light reception signal according to the intensity of the light; a section which changes the number of non-target points and successively captures the light reception signals before and after the change in the number of the target points; and a section which generates a confocal signal according to intensity of light emitted from the target point, based on a relationship between the captured light reception signals and the number of non-target points.