Microscopic microscope. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the micro-CIA (microscale confocal imaging array), a tiny microscope. This is a type of confocal light microscope. It works by tagging specific molecules with dyes, and illuminating the sample with a laser. The laser causes the dyes to fluoresce, allowing the dyed molecules to be detected. This device could be used to detect specific cells or molecules in the environment (biological warfare agents, for instance) or to diagnose diseases from within the body. It was developed by Luke P Lee, at the University of California at Berkeley, USA. Magnification unknown.