New class of axially apodizing filters for confocal scanning microscopy

A new class of axially apodizing continuously transmitting filters is analytically determined and numerically implemented. The longitudinal and lateral properties of the associated point-spread function are displayed both for a single filtered lens and for a combination with a laterally superresolving mask in a confocal configuration. Interesting imaging properties relative to the increase in axial contrast and transverse resolving power for dephasing ring-free pupil filters of moderate losses in luminosity are predicted. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.