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I built a 3D printed, scanning laser confocal microscope so I could collect 3D surface topology and profilometry data! The microscope stage is based on an OpenFlexure "Delta" stage, and the confocal optics are constructed with a 3D printed body, some lenses, a 405nm laser, pinhole and photodiode. The microscope is controlled by a Raspberry Pi (which controls an arduino to move the steppers).

It's not beautiful, it takes forever to scan, and the images are of dubious quality... but it works!

OpenFlexure: https://openflexure.org/

0:00 Intro
1:56 Confocal vs Widefield Microscopy
3:25 OpenFlexure Motion Platform
4:01 Confocal optical breakdown
8:00 Delta motion stage
8:43 Photodiode amplifier
9:14 Confocal Pinhole demonstration
10:31 Camera vs Photodiode
11:31 Data processing considerations
14:05 Images and results!
18:22 Optimizations
21:37 Discord! Come hang out with us!