Fiber-optic confocal microscopy using a spatial light modulator

We present a novel fiber-optic confocal microscope in which the scanning op eration is achieved by use of a spatial light modulator (SLM) to sequential ly illuminate individual fibers or patterns of multiple fibers. Experimenta l images are presented, and the optical-sectioning capability of the device is demonstrated. The novel SLM-based system is more optically efficient, a chieves higher contrast, and has improved optical-sectioning capabilities c ompared with those of other proposed instruments for confocal microendoscop y. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.