US 6,687,052 B1 · Confocal microscopy apparatus and method

Abstract

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 light 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 the second light source (8) from the image produced using the first light source (1) generates a confocal image that contains substantially less noise than is possible with available confocal microscopy apparatus.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Confocal microscopy apparatus comprising means for directing light to a specimen;

a mask for encoding light incident on the specimen and for decoding light from the specimen, the mask having an opaque patterning on a first surface;
and one or more image detectors for detecting images of the specimen characterised in that the mask has a reflective patterning on a second surface, the reflective patterning being substantially identical to the opaque patterning on the first surface of the mask whereby one of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a first image of the specimen consisting of a confocal image superimposed on a non-confocal image and the other of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a second image of the specimen consisting of a non-confocal image from which a confocal image has been removed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Confocal microscopy apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Confocal microscopy apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14