scanning
The translation of an illumination pattern relative to a stationary object, or vice versa, in order to image a given region in the object. The pattern can be a diffraction-limited point, line, other pattern, or array thereof. Confocal and multiphoton microscopes are typically scanning techniques.
See also: raster scanning, confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, point-scanning confocal microscopy, line-scanning confocal microscopy, array-scanning confocal microscopy, spinning disk confocal microscopy
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