Fiber-optic confocal microscopy using a spatial light modulator

We present a novel fiber-optic confocal microscope in which the scanning operation is achieved by use of a spatial light modulator (SLM) to sequentially illuminate individual fibers or patterns of multiple fibers. Experimental images are presented, and the optical-sectioning capability of the device is demonstrated. The novel SLM-based system is more optically efficient, achieves higher contrast, and has improved optical-sectioning capabilities compared with those of other proposed instruments for confocal microendoscopy. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.