Laser Sources for Confocal Microscopy

Abstract

In this chapter we will describe the characteristic properties of a number of lasers commonly used in fluorescence microscopy. We will concentrate on the characteristics of lasers in relation to their use as an illumination source. Lasers have a number of unique properties compared to other sources emitting electro-magnetic radiation, such as arc lamps, which make them an almost ideal light source for use in confocal microscopy. These properties are: high degree of monochromaticity small divergence high brightness high degree of spatial and temporal coherence plane polarized emission (for many types) a Gaussian beam profile (can be obtained by special optics)