confocal
Sharing a focus
Confocal describes optical systems in which multiple lenses or mirrors share a common focus point.
In microscopy, confocal imaging uses a pinhole to eliminate out-of-focus light, producing sharply detailed images of thin sections within a specimen: confocal laser scanning microscopy.
The technique revolutionized biological imaging by enabling three-dimensional reconstruction of cells and tissues.
Minute circular opening
- dichroicExhibiting two colors
- objectivePurpose or goal
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- detectorDevice that senses
emission · excitation · resolution · specimen · stage · micrograph · scanning · raster
Systematic visual examination
- beamStructural support member
- excitationStimulation of response
- fluorescenceLight emitted after absorption
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
intensity · pulsed · coherent · monochromatic · collimated · raster · bleaching · argon
Light emitted after absorption
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- contrastNotable difference between things
- colocalizationPresence at identical location
- time-lapseFilming at intervals, playing fast
multichannel · volumetric · stitching · quantitative · segmentation · reconstruction
Light-focusing curved glass
- objectivePurpose or goal
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- refractionWave bending between media
- immersionState of being submerged
Study of nervous systems
- histologyStudy of tissue structure
- cytologyStudy of cells
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
embryology · organoids · synaptic · dendritic · mitochondrial
pinhole
Minute circular opening
detector · emission · excitation · resolution · specimen · stage · micrograph · scanning · raster · galvanometer
scanning
Systematic visual examination
- beamStructural support member
- excitationStimulation of response
- fluorescenceLight emitted after absorption
wavelength · intensity · pulsed · coherent · monochromatic · collimated · raster · bleaching · argon
fluorescence
Light emitted after absorption
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- contrastNotable difference between things
- colocalizationPresence at identical location
time-lapse · multichannel · volumetric · stitching · quantitative · segmentation · reconstruction
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
- objectivePurpose or goal
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- refractionWave bending between media
neuroscience
Study of nervous systems
developmental · embryology · organoids · synaptic · dendritic · mitochondrial
confocalmultifocal
Having multiple focal lengths
defocused · unfocused · out of focus · misaligned · divergent