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Because a Refractive Index Mismatch distorts the PSF, that has a straightforward effect for example in the image of recorded beads. See Imaging Simulations below for the images of a 0.1 µm (diameter) fluorescent bead when recorded in a Confocal Microscope a depth zero (no Spherical Aberration) and at depth 20 µm inside the sample, having a Refractive Index Mismatch 1.515 - 1.47 and with a Signal To Noise Ratio of 15.

The images are 2 µm wide.

Top view Maximum Intensity Projection


Image Image

(False colors). The differences in the XY planes are apparently not very significative, but the aberrated image has noticeable intensity at a larger extent around the center.

XZ slice


Image Image

(Grey-scale with Gamma Correction). The image is clearly elongated along Z.

Microscopic Parameters in this Imaging Simulation:
x-y Sample Size (nm) </td><td> 63.5
z Sample Size (nm) </td><td> 200
Microscope Type </td><td> Confocal Microscope
Numerical Aperture </td><td> 1.3
Pinhole Radius (nm) </td><td> 307
Lens Refractive Index </td><td> 1.515 (Oil)
Medium Refractive Index </td><td> 1.47
Excitation Wavelength (nm) </td><td> 568
Emission Wavelength (nm) </td><td> 575
Excitation Photons </td><td> 1