Apparatus and method for multi-spot scanning microscopy

The invention relates to a device for multi-spot scanning microscopy, with a multi-color light source for providing at least an illuminating light beam, having a separating means for separating the illumination light beam in a plurality of illumination sub-beams with first optical means for providing an illumination beam path for directing and focusing the individual illumination sub-beams each in a spot on or in an assayed sample, with a scanning unit for guiding the beam spots over the sample, with a detection unit for detecting detection light, which irradiates the sample in partial detection beam upon irradiation with the individual illumination sub-beams having second optical means for providing a detection beam path for passing the partial detection beam to the detector unit, with a control and evaluation unit for driving the scanning unit and for evaluating the nachgewi by the detection unit esenen detection light. The device is characterized in that the illumination beam path for at least two of the illumination sub-beams a controllable beam manipulation means is provided for independently adjusting a spectral composition of the respective partial illumination beam and that the control and evaluation unit is arranged to drive the beam manipulation means. The invention further relates to a method for multi-spot scanning microscopy.