The mask (17) is encoded with a pattern which generates a combined confocal and non-confocal image and the confocal image is subsequently extracted from the combined image.

A confocal configuration may be used.

The invention is applicable to microscopic apertures for single-point or multiple-point confocal microscopy.

Preferably the method comprises a confocal detection step.

The invention also relates to a method for confocal wafer inspection.

In particular the invention concerns-methods where the tissue is epidermis, and wherein the visualisation is by confocal microscopy such as wholemount confocal microscopy.

A confocal system is provided including a confocal optical receiver a confocal path leading from the object to the confocal optical receiver via a confocal input aperture.

Said novel method is referred to as chromatic confocal spectral interferometry (CC-SI).

Disclosed herein is a confocal imaging system (5) for imaging a specimen.

Known scanning confocal microscope systems use an optical fibre to deliver light to the confocal scanning head.

Successful targeting can be verified by 3D multispectral confocal microscopy.

It includes classical fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, bi-photonic microscopy, spinning disk confocal microscopy.

The reflected light is received confocally, using monostatic beam geometry.

An apparatus for confocal observation of a specimen (34) comprises an illumination device (10).

No optical telescope (30) or other imaging means used for confocal function is disturbed or removed by the operation of inserting the unit, so that the confocal function can be restored reproducibly and rapidly.