Open AccessThe axial response of confocal microscopes with high numerical aperture objective lenses
Author(s) -
Wilson T,
Jus̆kaitis R
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
bioimaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1361-6374
pISSN - 0966-9051
DOI - 10.1002/1361-6374(199503)3:1<35::aid-bio4>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - optics , numerical aperture , refractive index , confocal , lens (geology) , spherical aberration , oil immersion , microscope , materials science , aperture (computer memory) , confocal microscopy , geometrical optics , physics , wavelength , acoustics
We consider the axial resolution of confocal optical systems employing high numerical aperture objective lenses for the cases when the specimen refractive index is both higher and lower than that of the immersion medium. In the latter case a spherical aberration‐like phase shift is introduced when the objective lens numerical aperture is greater than the refractive index of the specimen which leads, inter alia, to an asymmetrical axial response with higher side lobe levels. Theoretical and experimental results are presented.