Three-dimensional Fourier analysis methods for digital processing and 3D visualization of confocal transmission images

摘要

We have developed digital 3D Fourier transform methods for comparing the 3D spatial frequency content and hence the axial and transverse resolution of confocal versus conventional microscope images. In particular, we have utilized these techniques to evaluate the performance of our recently-developed confocal transmission microscope for bright field and Nomarski DIC imaging. We have also found that Fourier methods, such as the Hibert transform, can be successfully employed to overcome the difficulty of visualizing differentially-shaded phase objects, in 3D, that have been acquired using transmission DIC optics.