Fluorescence detection apparatus and method for excitation light irradiation timing

1. A fluorescence detection apparatus which irradiates a sample with an excitation light having different wavelengths, and spectrally detects fluorescence from the sample, comprising:

a comparison unit comparing each wavelength of the excitation light with a starting wavelength of a fluorescent spectrum detection bandwidth of the fluorescence detection bandwidth; and

a determination unit determining an excitation light irradiation timing such that irradiation of the excitation wavelength is stopped when the wavelength of the excitation light is longer than the starting wavelength.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a setting unit setting a width of the detection bandwidth of the fluorescent spectrum, an amount of a detecting step, and a range of a fluorescent spectrum to be detected, wherein

the determination unit controls excitation light irradiation timing based on the detection bandwidth of the fluorescent spectrum and the range of the fluorescent spectrum set by the setting unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the determination unit stops irradiation also when the excitation wavelength is in a predetermined offset range on a side of a wavelength shorter than the starting wavelength of the detection bandwidth.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the apparatus is a laser scanning confocal microscope apparatus, comprising:

a laser beam source generating a laser beam as the excitation light; and

an optical scanner for scanning the sample using the laser beam.

5. A fluorescence detection method of irradiating a sample with an excitation light having different wavelengths, and spectrally detects fluorescence from the sample, comprising:

comparing a wavelength of the excitation light with a starting wavelength of a fluorescent spectrum detection bandwidth; and

stopping irradiation when the wavelength of the excitation light is longer than the starting wavelength, and determining irradiation timing of the excitation light.

6. A computer-readable record medium storing a program for irradiating a sample with an excitation light having different wavelengths, and spectrally detecting the fluorescence from the sample by directing a computer to perform a process comprising:

a comparing function of comparing each wavelength of the excitation light with a starting wavelength of a fluorescent spectrum detection bandwidth; and

a determining function of determining irradiation timing of the excitation wavelength by stopping irradiation when the wavelength of the excitation light is longer than the starting wavelength.

7. A fluorescence detection apparatus which irradiates a sample with an excitation light having different wavelengths, and spectrally detects the fluorescence from the sample, comprising:

a spectroscopical system converting the fluorescence to a spectrum;

a measurement unit detecting the fluorescent spectrum formed by the spectroscopical system for each detection bandwidth from a starting wavelength to an ending wavelength;

comparison means for comparing each wavelength of the excitation light with the starting wavelength of the detection bandwidth; and

determination means for determining irradiation timing of the excitation light such that irradiation of the excitation wavelength is stopped when the wavelength is longer than the starting wavelength.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the determination means stops irradiation of the wavelength of the excitation light also when the wavelength is in a predetermined offset range on a side of a wavelength shorter than the starting wavelength.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein

the apparatus is a laser scanning confocal microscope apparatus, comprising:

a laser beam source generating a laser beam as the excitation light; and

an optical scanner for scanning a sample using the laser beam.