Rapid acousto-optic focus tuning for improvement of imaging performance in confocal microscopy [Invited].

We demonstrate the application of focus-tunable acousto-optic lens technology in confocal microscopy for a high-speed axial scanning of the object. The advantages of the proposed approach include high axial scan rate, no mechanical sample movement, no additional non-symmetric aberrations, and the control of the effective depth of focus. The acousto-optic lens operating at the focus tuning rate of 300 kHz is developed and implemented in scanning laser confocal microscopy. The performance of the instrumentation is presented using test targets. Rapid focus tuning may enhance in vivo three-dimensional imaging in confocal microscopy.