A Fluorescence Microscope is a light microscope used to study properties of organic or inorganic substances using the phenomena of fluorescence and phosphorescence instead of, or in addition to, reflection and absorption.
Most flourescence microscopes in use are Epi-Fluorescence Microscopes (ie : excitation and observation of the fluorescence are from above (epi) the specimen). These microscopes has become an important part in the field of biology, opening the doors for more advanced microscope designs, such as Confocal laser scanning microscope and the Total internal reflection fluorescence microscope.
External Links
A Fluroescene Microscope Primer
Principles of Fluorescence