A biological sample containing a target nucleic acid is mixed with a
primer, a substrate labeled with fluorescence, and DNA polymerase to
prepare a test solution. After a nucleic acid amplification reaction is
performed in a predetermined manner, the test solution is attached
dropwise on a slide glass, which is mounted on a sample holder of an
inverted fluorescence microscope. Data measured by a photomultiplyer are
arithmetically operated by applying an autocorrelation function in a data
processing apparatus. Based on the arithmetic results, quantification
data for the target nucleic acid, are numerically or graphically
displayed on a screen of a display apparatus.