Integration of a multi-channel UV stimuli to an illumination system of a 2-photon microscope
We completed a custom development and realization of a triple-channel system for projecting ultraviolet light stimuli (385nm) in a two-photon microscope.
This Electro-Optical installation was intended to enable the study of biochemical processes occurring in vitro.
We were required to generate three types of stimuli:
– Dynamic UV light stimulation of moving stripes 5mm wide.
– Static “background” UV stimulus 2-3mm in diameter – with an intensity range of 6 orders of magnitude.
– Static “signal” UV stimulation 50-500um in dia. – with an intensity range of 6 orders of magnitude.
– The centration and focusing of all above mentioned stimuli upon a membrane
– To stabilize said static stimuli up to 50 micron within a 48-hour long experiment.
The challenges in this project where:
* to carry an optical design and realize three stand-alone UV optical channels and merge them with a given NIR illumination system.
* to make use of shelf components only
* to use a near IR microscope condenser to obtain crisp UV images
* to realize a method of calibration for the entire system
* to realize the mechano-optics to maintain calibration stability
