A theoretical model of magneto optic scanning laser microscopy

A complete, scalar diffraction based, mathematical analysis Is presented for evaluating the response of both ordinary (reflectance) and magneto-optic confocal and non-confocal scanning laser microscopes. Magneto-optic configurations employing both single and differential detector arrangements are analyzed. A transfer function approach is adopted that enables the imaging properties of the optical system to be separated out from the properties of the object. It is therefore straightforward to compare quantitatively the imaging performance of different optical arrangements. A particularly interesting result is that the impulse response of a magneto-optic scanning laser microscope with the commonly used differential detection technique is identical to that of a simple incoherent reflectance microscope.