Abstract

We developed a Virtual Pinhole Confocal Microscope (VPM) that achieves the benefits of conventional confocal instruments but eliminates much of the mechanical and optical complexity. Structured illumination grids produced by a micro-lens array, micro-mirror array or liquid crystal display allow faster sample scanning than conventional methods, with simultaneous illumination at many points. Light is detected with a CCD camera, and confocal images are reconstructed with image processing algorithms eliminating the need for physical apertures, simplifing implementation, and allowing practical transmission mode confocal imaging. The illumination scanning system is compact, versatile, inexpensive, and can be retrofit into existing microscopes.

© 2000 Optical Society of America