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The significance of 3‐D transfer functions in confocal scanning microscopy
Author(s) -
Sheppard C. J. R.,
Gu Min
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1992.tb01494.x
Subject(s) - confocal , confocal microscopy , fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy , microscopy , optics , optical transfer function , fluorescence , fluorescence microscope , focus (optics) , transfer function , scanning confocal electron microscopy , microscope , chemistry , physics , electrical engineering , engineering
SUMMARY The three‐dimensional (3‐D) transfer function is a useful concept for describing image formation in confocal scanning microscopy. From it we can derive the corresponding 2‐D transfer function for in‐focus imaging. In confocal transmission this can be derived analytically. The 1‐D transfer function for on‐axis imaging, which can be expressed in an analytical form even for confocal fluorescence with differing wavelengths of excitation and fluorescence, can be derived from the 3‐D transfer function. The 2‐D transfer function for in‐focus imaging in confocal fluorescence microscopy with a finite‐sized detector is also presented, which is shown to exhibit sign changes and can therefore result in reversals of image contrast.