| abstract |
An endoscope or microscope 10 includes an optic fibre for transmitting a pulsed main beam 14 along at least a portion of an optical path between a beam source 12 and a sample 44, and a dispersing means 28, 30 whereby dispersion occurring in the optic fibre 20 is reversed by dispersion produced by the dispersing means. An endoscope or microscope with a head, the endoscope or microscope includes a suction or partial vacuum source located near the head, a light collecting means for collecting light from a sample, and a sample receiving means coupled to the suction source for receiving the sample when the sample is urged thereto by the suction source, wherein the suction source is used to urge the sample towards the receiving means, thereby deforming the sample so that the light collecting means can collect some of light emitted by the sample away from the head. An endoscope or microscope has means for synchronising switching of illumination on and off and acquisition periods. An endoscope or microscope has a photodetector and a filter to reduce detection of ambient illumination. |