CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

The confocal microscope has two matched light sources: a first light source (1) and a second light source (8). The light sources (1,8) are arranged to illuminate opposite sides of a modulating mask (6). The ligh t either reflecting from or passing through the modulating mask (6) is then used to illuminate an object O supported on a mount (5). The microscope is arranged so that the object O is mounted on the opposite side of the mask (6) to a camera (7) such that light reflected from the object O passes through the modulating mask (6) before being captured by the camera (7). Subtraction of the image produced using th e second light source (8) from the image produced using the first light source (1) generates a confocal image that contains substantiall y less noise than is possible with available confocal microscopy apparatus.