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Abstract

A scanning microscope allowing fluorescence observation and morphological observation to be simultaneously performed on the same region of interest and permitting both a fluorescence observation image and a morphological observation image to be obtained within a reduced period of time. The scanning microscope includes a device for splitting low-coherence light from a low-coherence light source between a first optical path and a second optical path. A frequency modulator is placed in at least one of the first and second optical paths to produce a frequency difference between light passing through the two optical paths. An objective optical system is placed in the first optical path to apply light to a sample and to collect light from the sample. A scanning device is placed in the first optical path to scan the sample and the light applied by the objective optical system relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A combining device combines together the first and second optical paths. An interference signal detecting system detects an interference signal having the frequency difference from the combined light. A fluorescence branching device branches fluorescence from the sample excited by the low-coherence light. A fluorescence detecting system detects the branched fluorescence.

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