Re-scan Confocal Microscopy (RCM)
Confocal.nl is aiming to innovate the microscopy industry with our plug-and-play feature
confocal microscopes including the re-scan invention (Re-scan Confocal Microscope). Their new RCM-microscope has an improved
resolution and strongly improved sensitivity as compared to most confocal microscopes. It is available as a highly affordable,
customised device, which is ideal for labs with specific interests, or as an upgrade for existing wide-field fluorescence
microscopes. Confocal.nl’s goal is an open-architecture system that can be customised at need, and is platform- and software
independent.
Website: https://www.confocal.nl
Re-scan Confocal Microscopy (RCM)
Re-scan Confocal Microscopy (RCM) is a super-resolution technique based on a standard confocal extended with an optical re-scanning unit that projects the image directly on a CCD or sCMOS camera (Luca et al., 2013).
By using a sensitive camera as a detector, the quantum efficiency (QE) of RCM increases up to 95% in the visible range of light (VIS) and 67% in near-infrared (NIR) light. Traditional point scanning confocal systems use Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) as a detector. The sensitivity of a PMT is maximum 45%. RCM strongly increases sensitivity while maintaining the confocal sectioning capability. The re-scan technology allows the development of images with a 40% increase in resolution, without closing the pinhole. Therefore, more photons are captured, and the signal-to-noise ratio is four times higher in RCM than in standard PMT-based confocal microscopes. This results in 170 nm resolution images with an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio. Combining RCM with deconvolution, the resolution is further improved to 120 nm.
- It is excellent for biological applications where a combination of super-resolution and high sensitivity is required.
- No need for reconstruction software to increase the resolution. RCM achieves 170nm in the RAW image, which can be further improved to 120nm, using easy-to-use deconvolution software.
- The clever design of RCM makes these products robust, versatile, and extremely easy to use.
- Convert your existing widefield fluorescence microscope into a super-resolution and high sensitivity confocal 3D imaging system with RCM.
To fully understand the principle of rescanning, resolution improvement and the optical layout of the RCM, please watch the video below that explains the components and the light path of the RCM.
Exposure time: 4s, clearing showing the fibers of width around 200nm, which cannot be shown clearly in confocal microscope with a resolution of 240nm.
NL5: Fast & deep 3D live cell imaging
Confocal nl's line scanning confocal microscope NL5 series takes the best of two worlds; point scanners and spinning disc, leading to a system with options to do confocal, widefield or brightfield observations.
Phototoxicity is a central problem in the application of confocal microscopy for live cell imaging. To overcome these challenges, we developed the second generation of fast line-scanning confocal technologies. Using a line scanner instead of a point scanner, a confocal microscope provides high temporal resolution, at the same time reducing the phototoxicity and allowing long-term imaging. A slit pinhole, together with an extremely sensitive sCMOS camera as a detector, makes the NL5 series the perfect tool for fast and deep 3D live cell imaging.
- Fast line scanning confocal microscope
- High resolution and low phototoxicity
- Ideal for deep 3D live cell imaging
- Compact and very easy to use
- Convert your existing widefield fluorescence microscope into a fast and highly sensitive confocal 3D imaging microscope with NL5