Field synthesis and optical subsectioning for standing wave microscopy

摘要

In an improved optical microscope for observing a luminescent specimen, the specimen is excited by a single, on axis standing wavefield or multiple superposed series of standing wave fields. Then an image of the specimen is recorded and displayed. This specimen can be incrementally moved and additional images can be recorded and processed. Images of the specimen recorded when there are nodes or antinodes at the focal plane of the microscope can be combined by image processing to produce an improved image or set of images of the specimen. Also disclosed are improved standing wave microscopes having a phase conjugator, a transmitted light source, feedback stabilization, an extended light source for field synthesis or a beam contractor. A multiple wavelength light source can be used to view a specimen marked with multiple luminescent dyes.