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Confocal Microscopy System Performance: Axial Resolution1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2018

Robert M. Zucker
Robert M. Zucker*
Affiliation:
Reproductive Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
*
[email protected]

Extract

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The confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM) has enormous potential in many biological fields. When tests are made to evaluate the performance of a CLSM, the usual subjective assessment is accomplished by using a histological test slide to create a “pretty picture.” Without the use of functional tests many of the machines may be working at sub-optimal performance levels, delivering sub optimum performance, and possibly misleading data. In order to replace the subjectivity in evaluating a confocal microscope, tests were derived or perfected that measure field illumination, lens clarity, laser power, laser stability, dkhroic functionality, spectral registration, axial resolution, scanning stability, PMT quality, overall machine stability, and system noise (1-3). It is anticipated by using this type of test data, performance standards for confocal microscopes will be obtained and the current subjectivity in evaluating CLSM performance will be eliminated.

Type
Research Article
Information
Microscopy Today , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , January 2004 , pp. 38 - 40
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2004

Footnotes

2

To whom all correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Reproductive Toxicology Division (MD- 72), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; Phone: (919) 541-1585; FAX: (919) 541-4017 e-mail: zucke [email protected]

1

The research described in this article has been reviewed and approved for publication as an EPA document. Approval does not necessarily signify that the contents reflects the views and policies of the Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use

References

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