A low-cost confocal microscope for the undergraduate lab

TL;DR

This paper presents a low-cost, easy-to-assemble confocal microscope designed for undergraduate physics labs, enabling students to explore advanced microscopy concepts with affordable, commercially available parts and 3D-printed components.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, cost-effective confocal microscope setup that enhances physics education through hands-on experiments and accessible design.

Findings

Successful measurement of slide thickness and surface topography

Demonstration of depth perception and data acquisition capabilities

Cost reduction through use of 3D-printed parts

Abstract

We demonstrate a simple and cost-efficient scanning confocal microscope setup for use in advanced instructional physics laboratories. The setup is constructed from readily available commercial products, and the implementation of a 3D-printed flexure stage allows for further cost reduction and pedagogical opportunity. Experiments exploring the thickness of a microscope slide and the surface of solid objects with height variation are presented as foundational components of undergraduate laboratory projects, and demonstrate the capabilities of a confocal microscope. This system allows observation of key components of a confocal microscope, including depth perception and data acquisition via transverse scanning, making it an excellent pedagogical resource.