Imaging modes in confocal scanning light microscopy (CSLM)

SUMMARY The optical arrangement for confocal scanning light microscopy can be incorporated in various imaging modes. Light microscopical specimens can be imaged with contrast enhanced, under γ‐control, inverted, etc. In interference, conditions can be set such that either pure phase or pure amplitude images result. Stereoscopic images at arbitrary aspect ratios can be realized in CSLM by electronic processing of the data obtained when the specimen is sampled with more than one confocal point concurrently. Also forms of differential imaging either amplitude or phase are possible. The coupling of these imaging modes with the improved resolving powers of CSLM results in some unique imaging opportunities, especially of value for high resolution light microscopy of living specimens.