Wide-field optically sectioning fluorescence microscopy with laser illumination

We describe an extremely simple method by which optically sectioned fluores cence images may be obtained with conventional microscopes using laser illu mination. A one-dimensional grid pattern is introduced into the illuminatio n system, together with a rotating ground glass diffuser. This causes an im age of the grid pattern to be projected into the specimen. Images taken at three spatial positions of the grid are processed in a simple manner to pro vide optically sectioned images of fluorescent specimens.