Comparison of multi-mode parallel detection microscopy methods

Four microscopy resolution enhancement methods based on parallel detection were investigated in this study: confocal microscopy with four pinhole sizes, fluorescence emission difference microscopy (FED) based on parallel detection, Airyscan microscopy, and virtual k-vector modulation optical microscopy (Vikmom). These methods use different algorithms to process parallel detection data and achieve resolution improvement. We investigated these methods first by performing simulations and then experimentally. In this report, the basic theories of these methods are briefly introduced. Then, analyses and comparisons of their imaging performances, especially in terms of resolution improvement, imaging speed, and signal-to-noise ratio, are presented. Finally, the results of our comparative study are summarized.