Types of confocal microscopy
There are three types of confocal microscopy which are available in the commercial market today.
They are confocal laser scanning microscopes, spinning disk confocal microscopes, and Programmable Array Microscopes.
Confocal laser scanning microscopes are used to obtain in-focus images of thick specimens. This is done by virtually cutting the specimens into sections. These sections are then reconstructed point by point using a computer. The end result is a very accurate image of the whole specimen, despite its thick nature.
Spinning disk confocal microscopes are also called Nipkow disk microscopes. Developed by Paul Nipkow in 1884, these disks allow for greater transmission of light. However, they less focus than the laser scanning microscopes discussed above. There are also other types of spinning disk confocal microscopes but the Nipkow disks are the most popular and most widely used type. The sector that uses spinning disk confocal microscopes over laser scanning microscopes are usually scientists who work with 4D imaging of living cells. This is because spinning disk confocal microscopes yield video rate imaging.
The third type, Programmable Array Microscopes, or PAMs, result in much better image quality as compared to spinning disk confocal microscopes. On the downside, they result in low frame imaging rate. This means that they can only capture 3 frames per second, which is not good enough for certain applications.
Individuals who desire to learn more about confocal microscopy can find a host of tutorials on the Internet. These cover the various techniques and tools in great detail.
