Abstract

A standard method in confocal microscopy to form an extended focus image is to merely add together (integrate) a number of optical sections taken throughout the specimen volume of interest. If we use this method in a conventional microscope the image that results is of rather poor quality. However since the image has been degraded in a known fashion and it is straightforward, by using simple inverse filtering techniques, to restore a high quality extended depth of focus image. Examples will be shown obtained in both the fluorescence and brightfield imaging modes. The method is also suited to high resolution stereo imaging.

© 2005 Optical Society of America