Optimizing the performance of dual-axis confocal microscopes via Monte-Carlo scattering simulations and diffraction theory

Ye Chen; Jonathan T. Liu

doi:10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.066006

3 June 2013 Optimizing the performance of dual-axis confocal microscopes via Monte-Carlo scattering simulations and diffraction theory

Ye Chen, Jonathan T. Liu

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Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 18, Issue 6, 066006 (June 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.066006

Abstract

Dual-axis confocal (DAC) microscopy has been found to exhibit superior rejection of out-of-focus and multiply scattered background light compared to conventional single-axis confocal microscopy. DAC microscopes rely on the use of separated illumination and collection beam paths that focus and intersect at a single focal volume (voxel) within tissue. While it is generally recognized that the resolution and contrast of a DAC microscope depends on both the crossing angle of the DAC beams, 2θ , and the focusing numerical aperture of the individual beams, α , a detailed study to investigate these dependencies has not been performed. Contrast and resolution are considered as two main criteria to assess the performance of a point-scanned DAC microscope (DAC-PS) and a line-scanned DAC microscope (DAC-LS) as a function of θ and α . The contrast and resolution of these designs are evaluated by Monte-Carlo scattering simulations and diffraction theory calculations, respectively. These results can be used for guiding the optimal designs of DAC-PS and DAC-LS microscopes.

CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

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Ye Chen and Jonathan T. Liu "Optimizing the performance of dual-axis confocal microscopes via Monte-Carlo scattering simulations and diffraction theory," Journal of Biomedical Optics 18(6), 066006 (3 June 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.066006

Published: 3 June 2013

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