laser irradiation system comprised of tunable ablation laser with pulse generator and firing controls, collecting and steering optics, dye cell resonators, neutral density sliders, for delivering diffraction-limited laser irradiation; and a digital illumination system comprised of a digital diaphragm having an optical head with integrated digital light processor and two integrated light paths including one path for real time fluorescence and the other path for mask side illumination (using either pulsed or continuous wave sources), with computer controller, software package with translucent video overlay targeting system for selective illumination of any shape, form factor, or geometry, targeting menus for single or multiple features that can be continuously updated in real time or digitally activated, with the ability to save, edit and recall digitized arrays, and with TTL interfaces, each for attachment and integration into commercial microscopes used for researching commercial, industrial and bio-medical applications