Considerations on a laser-scanning-microscope with high resolution and depth of field

In conventional light microscopy, the depth of focus is severely limited. This limitation might be overcome by a light optical scanning procedure. In this procedure, the specimen surface is scanned point for point by a focused laser beam. The image of the specimen surface is generated by an electronic system, similar to the procedure used in the scanning electron microscope. Possibilities to develop a "laser-scanning-microscope" on the basis of available techniques (laser microirradiation, miniprocessors, light detecting systems, automatic focusing, holographic focusing etc.) are discussed. On account of its possibility to form images of high resolution and depth of focus, a laser-scanning-microscope might become a valuable tool in addition to conventional light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.