Wide-field fluorescence is the most straightforward method of fluorescence microscopy. Typically, excitation light is directed through the objective lens (episcopic illumination) with the same lens used to capture the emitted fluorescence light which is then detected by eye or with a camera. The non-selective illumination and non-selective detection mean that this method is not appropriate for thicker specimens where out-of-focus light can degrade the image. It is, however, very useful for routine work with thin specimens and low light imaging applications such as live cell imaging.
The Imaging Facility has several wide-field fluorescence microcopes, all of which are configured for live cell imaging.