Acousto-optic deflectors in experimental neuroscience: overview of theory and applications
Year: 2024
Authors: Ricci P., Sancataldo G., Gavryusev V., Pavone F.S., Saggau P., Duocastella M.
Autors Affiliation: Univ Barcelona, Dept Appl Phys, Barcelona, Spain; Univ Palermo, Dept Phys & Chem, Palermo, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Phys & Astron, Florence, Italy; European Lab Nonlinear Spect, Florence, Italy; Natl Inst Opt, Natl Res Council INO CNR, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Baylor Coll Med, Dept Neurosci, Houston, TX USA; Univ Barcelona, Inst Nanosci & Nanotechnol IN2UB, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract: Cutting-edge methodologies and techniques are required to understand complex neuronal dynamics and pathological mechanisms. Among them, optical tools stand out due to their combination of non-invasiveness, speed, and precision. Examples include optical microscopy, capable of characterizing extended neuronal populations in small vertebrates at high spatiotemporal resolution, or all-optical electrophysiology and optogenetics, suitable for direct control of neuronal activity. However, these approaches necessitate progressively higher levels of accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility of illumination for observing fast entangled neuronal events at a millisecond time-scale over large brain regions. A promising solution is the use of acousto-optic deflectors (AODs). Based on exploiting the acousto-optic effects, AODs are high-performance devices that enable rapid and precise light deflection, up to MHz rates. Such high-speed control of light enables unique features, including random-access scanning or parallelized multi-beam illumination. Here, we survey the main applications of AODs in neuroscience, from fluorescence imaging to optogenetics. We also review the theory and physical mechanisms of these devices and describe the main configurations developed to accomplish flexible illumination strategies for a better understanding of brain function.
Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-PHOTONICS
Volume: 6 (2) Pages from: 22001-1 to: 22001-16
More Information: P R and M D received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union�s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (Grant Agreement No. 101002460). M D is a Serra Hunter Professor. G S received funding from FFR 2023 of Unipa. V G has received funding from Next Generation EU, in the context of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, M4C2 investment 1.2 [DD 247 19.08.2022] Project MicroSpinEnergy. This resource was financed also by the Next Generation EU [DD 247 19.08.2022]. F P received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European program H2020 EXCELLENT SCIENCE (Grant Agreement No. 692943-BrainBIT and No. 966623-DAPTOMIC). The views and opinions expressed are only those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
KeyWords: acousto-optics; neuroscience; imaging; optogenetics; AOD
DOI: 10.1088/2515-7647/ad2e0d
Citations: 1
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