Abstract: An optical system particularly suited for non-linear fluorescence collecting includes a front lens system, a rear lens system, and a bulk, dichroic beam splitting component intermediate the front lens system and the rear lens system to direct the fluorescent emission from a target object to a photodetector. A lens housing may have a reflective coating on an interior surface thereof. The objective optical system is particularly advantageous for use in cases where large fields of view and high collection efficiencies are desirable.

Abstract: An optical system particularly suited for non-linear fluorescence collecting includes a front lens system, a rear lens system, and a bulk, dichroic beam splitting component intermediate the front lens system and the rear lens system to direct the fluorescent emission from a target object to a photodetector. A lens housing may have a reflective coating on an interior surface thereof. The objective optical system is particularly advantageous for use in cases where large fields of view and high collection efficiencies are desirable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of applying radiation through an optical fiber for detecting disease within a plant or animal or other penetrable tissue, or imaging a particular tissue of a plant or animal. In addition, fluorescence and nonlinear scattering signals can be detected and localized within a subject by such application of radiation through an optical fiber. The radiation is effective to promote simultaneous multiphoton excitation. The optical fibers are used alone to examine internal regions of tissue, in conjunction with an optical biopsy needle to evaluate sub-surface tissue, or with an endoscope to evaluate tissue within body cavities. The present invention also relates to a device for coupling in radiation from an ultrashort mode-locked laser into the beam path of a microscope.