A high stability beam-scanning confocal optical microscope for low temperature operation

We report on the design and performance of a high stability scanning confocal microscope for optical microscopy at low temperatures. By scanning the beam in a cold objective lens system, we achieve wide fields of view without compromising image quality. Photoluminescence from single nitrogen-vacancy centers in high purity diamond is used to illustrate the imaging and stability performance of the microscope. (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3484140]