Confocal microscopy is an optical microscope designed for high-resolution imaging. By incorporating a conjugate optical system, it allows for detailed observation of samples at high resolution. It has been widely applied in fields such as life sciences, medical research, and materials science, and plays a particularly important role in areas like cell biology, neuroscience, and pathology. Unlike widefield microscopes, confocal microscopes use a pinhole to eliminate scattered light from out-of-focus planes, resulting in clearer images. Its main advantages include the following:

1. Improved 3D Imaging through layer-by-layer scanning which generates detailed images of three-dimensional structures.


2. Better Imaging of Thick Specimens through its optical sectioning ability, allowing for deeper examination of internal structures.


3. High Resolution images compared to widefield microscopes.


4. Reduced Background Noise by using a pinhole to block light from out-of-focus planes, improving image contrast and clarity.


5. Minimized Photobleaching and Phototoxicity which extends the observation time of specimens.


6. High Fluorescence Sensitivity when used with fluorescence labeling.

Focuslight’s Nipkow discs are produced with fused silica and can be customized to meet diverse needs from the customers, supporting various types of confocal microscopes such as laser scanning confocal microscopes, spinning disk confocal microscopes, and microlens-enhanced dual-spinning-disk confocal microscopes.