The Nikon TIRF (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) microscope is an inverted system optimized for imaging events occurring very close to the coverslip, such as cell membrane dynamics, single molecule interactions, and adhesion processes. By generating an ultra-thin evanescent field (typically 100-200 nm), it selectively illuminates fluorescently labeled structures near the surface, significantly reducing background fluorescence and photobleaching compared to conventional widefield or confocal microscopy. The system often includes features like a Perfect Focus System (PFS) to maintain focus during long-term imaging, multiple laser lines (e.g., 405nm, 488nm, 561nm, 640nm), and high-sensitivity EMCCD or sCMOS cameras for capturing fast cellular events. It is equipped for live-cell imaging with environmental control (temperature, CO2, humidity) and supports various applications including fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution capabilities like N-STORM.