Confocal optical microscopy

Bonilla, G., Tsapatsis, M., Vlachos, D.G., and Xomeritakis, G. (2001) Fluorescence confocal optical microscopy imaging of the grain bormdary structure of zeolite... 

M.L. Taylor, A. Boyde, S.J. Jones, The effect of fluoride on the patterns of adherence of osteoclasts cultured on and resorbing dentine A 3-D assessment of vinculin-labelled cells using confocal optical microscopy, Anat. Embryol. (Berl.) 180 (1989) 427 35. 

Webb RH (1996) Confocal optical microscopy. Rep Prog Phys 59 427-471... 

Fig. 5. Scanning confocal optical microscopy for single-molecule detection. Sample scanning configuration. The fiber exit and the active area of the SPAD serve as confocal pinholes. S sample, O high-NA microscope objective, DM dichroic mirror, L1,L2 lenses, F Filters.

R. Webb, Confocal optical microscopy, Rep. Prog. Phys. 59, 427 (1996). 

SERS Spectroscopy with Confocal Optical Microscopy... 

Zeolite membranes are commonly characterized by SEM, XRD. TEM, EPMA, SEM-EDX, TEM-EOS, and Nitrogen adsorption are also used to study the morphology, microstructure and composition of zeolite membranes. Usually single gas permeation, mixed gas separation, pervaporation and vapor permeation are performed to evaluate the properties of zeolite membranes. Recently, some novel characterization techniques have been applied. Infrared reflectance measurement was used to characterize membrane thickness [19]. Fluorescence confocal optical microscopy was used to image the grain boundary structure of zeolite membranes [20]. FTIR-ATR method was used to characterize the T-O vibration of zeolite membranes [21],... 

Fluorescence confocal optical microscopy gives the possibility of observing the polycrystalline network of the zeolite membrane and so the internal defects not observable with SEM analysis ... 

Confocal optical microscopy can be used to take a sequence of randomly chosen images through a bacterial floe. Methodologies for calculation of three-dimensional fractal dimensions have been described for this approach [18-20]. One method determines the fractal dimension of each section 7)f using a two-point correlation function C(r) [20] ... 

Cahn, R. W. and E. Lifshin, eds. 2004. Concise Encyclopedia of Materials Characterization, 2nd ed. Amsterdam/Oxford, UJC. Elsevier. A collection of 116 concise and authoritative articles on most techniqnes available to characterize materials, ranging from the well-established to the very latest, inclnding atomic force microscopy, confocal optical microscopy, gamma ray diffractometry, thermal wave imaging, x-ray diffraction, and time-resolved techniques. It is well illustrated and inclndes nseful references. 

Standard optical microscopic techniques are limited to optically thin specimens. An increased fluorophore density, a high refractive index contrast (which is a possible scenario in polymer blends) and attenuation due to the long optical path may each increase the optical density of the specimen, and this will render a sample extremely difficult (perhaps even impossible) to image using standard techniques [15]. In order to address this issue, confocal optical microscopy was developed, which combines the optical components of typical microscopy and scattering devices [16]. Although this technique is widely used in the biological sciences, the condensed matter physics community has recently started to use the technique to study the stmcture and dynamics of complex fluids. 

Fluorescence confocal optical microscopy is a powerful tool for the non-destructive analysis of zeolite membranes. The grain boundary network of the zeolite layer can be observed along the thickness of the membranes and so the defects can be clearly visualized (Bonilla et al, 2001). 

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