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1. An illumination apparatus for use with a detection/observation module and for use with a sample area defining a plane, the illumination apparatus having an optical axis, the optical axis being away from normal to the plane and defining an oblique angle relative to the normal axis, the illumination apparatus comprising at least first and second light pipes, each of the first and second light pipes having a predetermined cross section, the first and second light pipes adjacent to each other, the at least first and second light pipes together comprising a combined cross section that is trapezoidal, the trapezoidal combined cross section defining first and second parallel faces, the first parallel face likewise being a face of the first light pipe, the second parallel face likewise being a face of the second light pipe, the first parallel face being shorter than the second parallel face, the adjacency of the first and second light pipes defining a boundary therebetween, the boundary lying between the first and second parallel faces, each of the first and second light pipes having a first end along its axis and a second end along its axis, each of the first and second light pipes illuminated solely at its first end by a respective first and second light source, the first and second light sources providing non-identical power levels of light to their respective first and second light pipes, the first light source providing a higher power level of light than the second light source, the illumination apparatus further comprising an imaging lens disposed between the second ends of the light pipes and the sample area, whereby a resulting illuminated area on the plane is substantially square or rectangular.
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