Confocal Imaging with Improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Superresolution

This application note explains how the Airyscan detector hardware is implemented and describe how the resolution and SNR increase is achieved and how it compares to traditional laser scanning microscopy imaging. Over the last 25 years the technique of confocal imaging has grown to become the standard choice for most fluorescence microscopy applications. The increase in utilization of confocal imaging systems in basic biomedical research can be attributed to the ability of a confocal imaging system to produce optically sectioned images with high contrast while providing acquisition versatility to address many sample and application demands. Over time, novel approaches and options to increase image contrast and instrument versatility have been developed but creating the optical section has not changed.