Confocal microscopy 1186904 224805280 2008-07-10T14:22:18Z JAnDbot 1725149 robot Adding: [[cs:Konfokální mikroskop]], [[ko:공초점 레이저 주사 현미경]], [[pl:Mikroskopia konfokalna]] '''Confocal microscopy''' is an optical imaging technique used to increase [[micrograph]] [[contrast (vision)|contrast]] and/or to [[reconstruct]] three-dimensional [[image]]s by using a spatial pinhole to eliminate out-of-focus light or [[Lens flare|flare]] in specimens that are thicker than the [[focal plane]].<ref name=Pawley_2006>{{cite book |author=Pawley JB (editor) |title=Handbook of Biological Confocal Microscopy |publisher=Springer |location=Berlin |year=2006 |edition = 3rd ed. |isbn=038725921x}}</ref> This technique has been gaining popularity in the scientific and industrial communities. Typical applications include [[life sciences]] and [[semiconductor]] inspection. == Basic concept == The principle of confocal imaging was patented by [[Marvin Minsky]] in 1957.<ref>{{cite patent|US|3013467}}</ref> In a conventional (i.e., wide-field) [[fluorescence microscope]], the entire [[specimen]] is flooded in light from a light source. Due to the conservation of light [[intensity]] transportation, all parts of the specimen throughout the optical path will be excited and the fluorescence detected by a [[photodetector]] or a [[camera]]. In contrast, a confocal microscope uses point illumination and a pinhole in an optically conjugate plane in front of the detector 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. As only one point is illuminated at a time in confocal microscopy, 2D or 3D imaging requires scanning over a regular raster (i.e. a rectangular pattern of parallel scanning lines) in the specimen. The thickness of the focal plane is defined mostly by the square of the [[numerical aperture]] of the [[objective lens]], and also by the optical properties of the specimen and the ambient index of refraction. == Types == Three types of confocal microscopes are commercially available: [[Confocal laser scanning microscopes]], spinning-disk ([[Nipkow disk]]) confocal microscopes and Programmable Array Microscopes (PAM). Confocal laser scanning microscopy yields better image quality than Nipkow and PAM, but the imaging [[frame rate]] is very slow (less than 3 frames/second); spinning-disk confocal microscopes can achieve [[video rate]] imaging&mdash;a desirable feature for dynamic observations such as live cell imaging. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu ''Molecular Expressions'': ] [http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/confocal/index.html Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy] * [http://www.improvision.com/products/vox/ Live Cell Confocal Imaging Microscopy]. Live Cell Confocal Imaging Microscopy from Improvision * [http://www.andor.com/biology/?app=89 Live Cell Confocal Microscopy]. Live Cell Confocal Microscopy from Andor Technolgy * [http://www.leica-microsystems.com/Confocal_Microscopes Leica MicroscopyU]. Comprehensive introduction to confocal microscopy. * [http://www.microscopyu.com/articles/confocal/confocalintrobasics.html Nikon's MicroscopyU]. Comprehensive introduction to confocal microscopy. * [http://www.physics.emory.edu/~weeks/confocal/ Emory’s Physics Department]. Introduction to confocal microscopy and fluorescence. *[http://www.scq.ubc.ca/?p=278 The Science Creative Quarterly's overview of confocal microscopy] - high res images also available. *[http://spiedl.aip.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=PSISDG00644100000164410S000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=yes Programmable Array Microscope] - Confocal Microscope Capabilities. [[Category:Microscopy]] [[Category:Optics]] [[cs:Konfokální mikroskop]] [[de:Konfokalmikroskop]] [[es:Microscopio confocal]] [[fr:Microscope confocal]] [[ko:공초점 레이저 주사 현미경]] [[pl:Mikroskopia konfokalna]] [[sv:Konfokalmikroskop]] [[ur:ہمرکز خردبینی]]