Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

Hi,
    The core for confocal is: the excitation source focal spot and the 
detection focal spot matches each other via the target focal spot. Then, 
if you put sample onto the target spot, the detector detects the energy 
only from this spot and rejects adjacent.
    So the key for excitation is to make a spot. A laser, is an ideal 
source to do that. On the other hand, any pinhole (or a pinhole array) 
can be a point source. Of course, you have to match the excitation 
pinhole(s) to the detection pinhole(s) via the target pinhole images.
    In the case of Olympus Spinning disk, it has an epi-illumination so 
the excitation and detection uses the same pinholes and they line up 
together automatically.
    Wish this helps!
Peng

-- 
Sincerely,
Peng Xi
Dantus Research Group
Department of Chemistry
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Tel: (517) 355-9715 x319
Email: [log in to unmask]
http://www.msu.edu/~xipeng/


Loralei Dewe wrote:
> Search the CONFOCAL archive at 
> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
> Hi All,
>  
> I may be putting my foot in my mouth but I do not understand how a 
> system can be a true confocal without lasers. We just purchased an 
> Olympus Spinning Disk system which uses a Mercury lamp and filters. I 
> thought it was by virtue of the lasers being able to penetrate the 
> tissue and focus on all the layers making a 3-D image that made a 
> Confocal but the Olympus rep swears theirs IS a true confocal. Can 
> someone explain this to me for my education?
>  
> Thanks
>  
> Loralei Dewe
>
>
>
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