Confocal microscopy is an imaging technique used to increase micrograph contrast and/or to reconstruct three-dimensional images by using a spatial pinhole to eliminate out-of-focus light or flare in specimens that are thicker than the focal plane. This technique has been gaining popularity in the scientific and industrial communities. Typical applications include life sciences and semiconductor inspection.

Basic concept

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The principle of confocal imaging was patented by Marvin Minsky in 1957. In a conventional (i.e., wide-field) microscope, the entire specimen is flooded in light from a light source. Due to the conservation of light intensity transportation, the part of specimen throughout the optical path will be detected by a photodetector or a camera. In contrast, a confocal microscope uses a pinhole to eliminate out-of-focus information. Only the light within the focal plane can be detected, so the image quality is much better than that of wide-field images. The thickness of the focal plane is defined mostly by the objective lens, and also by the optical properties of the specimen and the ambient conditions.

Category

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Two types of confocal microscopes are commercially available: Confocal laser scanning microscopes and spinning-disk confocal microscopes. Generally speaking, confocal laser scanning microscopy yields better image quality but the imaging frame rate is very slow (less than 3 frames/second); spinning-disk confocal microscopes can achieve video rate imaging---desired for dynamic observations.

External links

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• Nikon's MicroscopyU ---very comprehensive introduction to Confocal Microscopy.
• The Science Creative Quarterly's overview of confocal microscopy - high res images also available.