Focusing of light through a stratified medium:: a practical approach for computing microscope point spread functions.: Part I:: Conventional microscopy

We propose a method for microscope point spread function computation in which both design and actual acquisition parameters are explicitly introduced in the integrals describing the electromagnetic field in the focal region. This model therefore combines the ease of use of the Gibson and Lanni scalar approach with the accuracy of the Torok and Varga method. We also compare some theoretical predictions of this model with those of a scalar model. In particular, the scalar model underestimates the point spread function size. This has practical application, for example when deconvolving microscope images or analyzing point spread functions. The method may also be used for confocal microscopy. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.