19 – LSM 880 Training Guide
Understanding Image Quality
The result of the final scan above may or may not produce acceptable image quality. Therefore, it is important to have an
understanding of the three key factors that play a role in image quality.
Pinhole (Confocal Aperture)
The confocal aperture controls
both axial resolution and signal
level. Opening the aperture
reduces axial (Z) resolution but
increases signal level reported to
the detector. Closing this aperture
will reduce the signal level but
increase axial resolution.
Laser Intensity
The intensity of the laser
illumination source has obvious
effects on the signal level.
Increasing laser power will increase
signal levels but may also introduce
nonlinear effects such as
phototoxicity and photobleaching.
Detector Sensitivity
The detector sensitivity is regulated
by the high voltage gain applied to
the detector. Increasing the gain
directly increases detected signal
but also amplifies the inherent noise
in the system.
