Video Microscopy, Video Cameras, and Image Enhancement

Abstract

Video microscopy is the application of video technology to microscopy, resulting in two fields of microscopy called video-enhanced contrast microscopy (VEC) and video-intensified microscopy (VIM). VEC involves the production of an image from a specimen that is invisible to the eye, either because of a lack of contrast or because of its spectral characteristics (UV or infrared). VIM involves imaging a specimen when the light levels are too low for standard cameras or, in some cases, even for the eye. Images are produced by VIM using image analysis computers.