Difference between two-photon microscopy and laser confocal microscopy
Laser confocal microscope is a set of observation, analysis and output system using laser as a light source, conjugate focusing principle and device on the basis of traditional optical microscope, and digital image processing of the observed object using computer. The main system includes a laser light source, automatic microscope, scanning module (including the confocal optical channel and pinhole, scanning mirror, detector), digital signal processor, computer and image output equipment (monitor, colour printer) and so on. With the laser scanning confocal microscope, the observation sample can be tomographed and imaged. As a result, the three-dimensional spatial structure of cells can be observed and analysed without damage.
At the same time, laser scanning confocal microscopy is a powerful tool for dynamic observation of living cells, multiple immunofluorescence labelling and ion fluorescence labelling. The nature of the spectrum is precisely analysed, and signals of different markers with highly overlapping emission spectra are distinguished.
Most importantly, for multi-colour fluorescence staining, it completely eliminates the effect of fluorescence crosstalk while minimising the loss of fluorescence signal from the sample. All these are beyond the reach of general light microscopes.
