Benjamin Alexander
Published: 2011
Total Pages: 33
Get eBook
Confocal microscopes have become valuable tools in many fields of study. This work is intended to serve as a primer for basic confocal microscopy theory as well as a description of the design and construction of a homebuilt system in the Elson Lab at the Washington University School of Medicine. A description of the different designs of confocal microscopes is provided, and the capabilities, benefits, and detriments of each is described. The thought process behind each design decision is explained leading to the final system design. A more in depth description of the final design is provided in Chapters Two and Three, but, in short, the final design is a non-descanned, laser scanning, two-photon confocal microscope. The system is designed to integrate as seamlessly as possible with the existing system and to allow for all existing functionality to remain. When completed, the system will be capable of one- and two-photon fluorescence correlation ii spectroscopy (FCS); low-speed, one-photon confocal imaging using a piezo-stage; and high-speed, two-photon confocal imaging using the laser scanning system. Finally, future directions as well as the limitations of the system are also described. All resources necessary to continue work on the system as well as those necessary to use it are provided. This includes: System diagrams, Optical layout plots, Component data sheets, LabVIEW program. These resources are intended to make using, modifying, and improving the system much simpler.