ABSTRACT
Confocal microscopy is a technique of scanning optical microscopy that has several advantages over conventional microscopy. In particular, it exhibits an optical sectioning property, allowing three-dimensional imaging of thick samples, measurement of surface profiles, and rejection of scattered light. Confocal microscopy also delivers an improved resolution as compared with the conventional instrument. Confocal microscopy can be performed in a reflection mode, or in a fluorescence mode. Confocal fluorescence microscopy has become an important technique, especially for live cell imaging. Confocal reflection is widely used for industrial inspection and surface metrology.
