Abstract

A video rate confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) for biological applications has been developed for manufacture. This microscope is used for viewing thin "optical sections" of a sample by rejecting the signal from out-of-focus planes. The microscope consists of a multiline argon ion laser, a galvanometer and acousto-optic deflector (AOD) for video-rate scanning, and a lens system for coupling into a standard optical microscope stand. Performance of better than 1/4 wave peak-to-peak OPD is achieved for visible wavelengths, and operation has been extended to the UV (364 nm) for UV flash photolysis studies. This presentation will describe the design, performance tests, and experiences in manufacture of the CLSM. Techniques for handling chromatic aberration and the wavelength-dependent scan of the AOD will be presented.

© 1992 Optical Society of America