title: Confocal slit divided-aperture microscope: applications in ear research.
abstract: A confocal, scanning slit microscope that uses separate portions of the objective aperture for illumination and imaging rays achieves a high degree of optical sectioning. This capability permits visualization of individual cells within the intact inner ear in guinea pigs and cats, and it facilitates directing a laser heterodyne interferometer beam so that vibration of selected cells can be measured. A concentric singlet lens is added to the front of a long-working-distance microscope objective to increase the numerical aperture from 0.4 to 0.53 while retaining a working distance of 6 mm. The measured optical-sectioning capability is compared with the theoretical performance and with the calculated curve for a full-aperture pinhole confocal system.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Koester
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Rosskothen
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Tackaberry
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ulfendahl