Confocal.nl RCM (1.1) imaging system

Re-scan confocal microscopy (RCM) is a super-resolution technique based on standard confocal microscopy extended with an optical (re-scanning) unit that projects the image directly on a CCD-camera. The microscope is designed to have improved lateral resolution (170 nm at 488 nm excitation) and improved sensitivity, while maintaining the sectioning capability of a standard confocal microscope. It is particularly useful for biological applications where a combination of high resolution and high sensitivity is required.

The RCM (1.1) from Confocal.nl is an upgraded version of the RCM (1.0) imaging system. It is suitable for small labs with limited budgets but demanding tasks, particularly when high sensitivity and resolution are desired from the imaging system. The confocal microscope works as a camera and there is no need for an instruction manual. RCM is easy to use as there is no hardware control or software processing needed, and the images are always RAW.

The standard resolution of the RCM is 170 nm at 488 nm wavelength. This is also called super-resolution. In contrast to other super-resolution systems, RCM offers the super-resolution of the live image without any processing. Deconvolution can be used to improve the RCM resolution even further to 120 nm.

The frame rate of the RCM is 1 fps at 512 x 512, which makes the acquisition time of a three-colour image about 3 s. The frame rate of RCM 1.1 can be increased to 4 fps at 512 x 512, which makes the acquisition time of a three-colour image less than 1 s.

RCM 1.0 has a field of view (FOV) of 80 x 80 μm at 100x magnification; RCM 1.1 has the option to increase this FOV to 160 x 160 μm. RCM 1.1 is available in a VIS and NIR version.

RCM can be delivered as a total microscope system with a selection of microscopes, cameras and laser solutions. For those who already have a microscope in their lab, RCM can easily be added to the existing wide-field fluorescence microscope system to improve its resolution.