Spectrophosphorimeter microscopy: an extension of fluorescence microscopy

Abstract

This paper describes how a conventional spectrofluorimeter, or a spectrophosphorimeter with synchronously driven choppers, can be combined with a microscope to give an instrument capable of measuring the fluorescence or phosphorescence spectra of specimens with sizes down to 1 µm. Factors governing the performance of such an instrument are discussed and experimental details of its use are included. The technique has considerable potential in the fields of micro-analytical chemistry, forensic science, biological and biochemical research and photochemistry. Examples illustrating its possibilities are described.