  We consider the numerical optimization of performance for a computational
extension of a confocal microscope. Using a system where the pinhole detector
is replaced with a detector array, we seek to exploit this additional
information for each point in the scan. We derive an optimal estimate of the
light at focus which minimizes the contribution of out-of-focus light. We
estimate the amount of improvement that would be theoretically possible in
point-scanning and line-scanning systems and demonstrate with simulation. We
find that even with a large degree of regularization, a significant improvement
is possible, especially for line-scanning systems.
