Patent ID: 6687052
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
Confocal microscopy apparatus comprising means for directing light to a specimen; a mask for encoding light incident on the specimen and for decoding light from the specimen, the mask having an opaque patterning on a first surface; and one or more image detectors for detecting images of the specimen characterised in that the mask has a reflective patterning on a second surface, the reflective patterning being substantially identical to the opaque patterning on the first surface of the mask whereby one of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a first image of the specimen consisting of a confocal image superimposed on a non-confocal image and the other of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a second image of the specimen consisting of a non-confocal image from which a confocal image has been removed.