In the detection of fluorescence Lf emitted by a micro-object irradiated
with an excitation light Le by a semiconductor light-detecting element
20, a converging microlens 62 for converging the excitation light Le
elevating the optical density thereof and irradiating the micro-object
with the light, causing the micro-object to generate fluorescence Lf due
to two-photon absorption, is inserted partway along the light path of the
excitation light Le. This enables the fluorescence Lf emitted by the
micro-object to be detected with high sensitivity.