Multiphoton Microscope Modules        

OptoVolt Module

High-Speed Voltage Imaging at Single Neuron Resolution

Module Enables Neural Millisecond Imaging

Bruker's OptoVolt™ Module for Ultima 2Pplus multiphoton microscopes delivers unprecedented kilohertz imaging rates to enable voltage imaging neural research. It provides a significant improvement over standard imaging techniques by capturing electrical dynamics at up to 1,000 frames per second and providing software-selectable multiplication modes. These accelerated imaging speeds allow neuroscientists to capture millisecond dynamics of cell-to-cell neural communication, and with the emergence of fluorescent voltage indicators, it is even possible to measure neural activity with higher temporal resolution than fluorescent calcium indicators have allowed.

Ultima 2Pplus multiphoton microscope with NeuraLight 3D Ultra and OptoVolt modules

Multiplication Optics Enhance Speed and Resolution

OptoVolt contains multiplication optics that re-route the resonant scanning beam for customized aspheric microlens arrays. It also leverages large detection optics for collecting scarce photons, in vivo and deep into tissue.

This module multiplies up the scan speed with the microlens array and the resulting multiplication factor is based on the number of microlenses scanned across. It is seamlessly integrated with the 2Pplus, and is selectable as a scanning mode for ease-of-use. This gives researchers fast and flexible imaging for a range of novel experiments, including single-cell electrophysiology and wide-field calcium imaging. Researchers can build upon their existing microscope system as their research develops.

OptoVolt multiplication architecture. Diagram courtesy of Sheng Xiao, Mertz Lab, Boston University.

Traditional resonant raster:
Single line per galvo sweep

OptoVolt scan:
16 lines per galvo sweep

Traditional Resonant Raster vs. OptoVolt Scan

Without the voltage imaging module, it scans one line every time it sweeps. So, it sweeps one line, and then this is repeated for however many lines are wanted to create an image. With the scan multiplier technology, instead of directly scanning this one line in the image, it is scanning through the microlens array. For every lens, it creates a multiplication factor. Instead of scanning this red beam across the sample, the green beam is scanning, which, by the time it has only scanned one line in the traditional scan, has scanned 16 lines with the OptoVolt module.

Advancements in Functional Mapping of Neural Circuits

OptoVolt enables fluorescent voltage trace extraction

The module leverages advanced voltage indicators, such as ASAP4 from Stanford University and JEDI-2P from Baylor College of Medicine, and retains the depth and resolution of traditional two-photon imaging while enabling flexible adjustments between speed and signal intensity. Its design provides fast, efficient software switching between traditional Galvo, resonant, and OptoVolt modes for flexible control over any experiment.

OptoVolt can be integrated with the NeuraLight 3D Ultra SLM for simultaneous 3D optogenetic manipulation and voltage imaging, facilitating comprehensive all-optical functional mapping of neural circuits. This capability allows researchers to visualize action potentials and sub-threshold membrane potentials across large neural networks, bridging the gap between single-cell electrophysiology and wide-field calcium imaging.

OptoVolt is optimized for voltage imaging but is also compatible with calcium, vascular, and neurotransmitter imaging. The resulting Tiff movies are suitable for motion correction, trace extraction, and filtering.

Specifications

Compatibility Ultima 2Pplus with Resonant Scanner
Detection System Bruker rtCore with ioCore electronics
Software Prairie View version 6.0 or later
Multiplication Modes Software selectable:
x16: 1,100 fps;
x8: 550 fps
Wavelength Optimized 920nm, 700 to 1,100 nm compatible
Transmission Minimum 70%
FOV

Objective dependent, size may vary depending on lens manufacturer

Accessible Reference FOV:
10x objective: 1,980 x 1,980 μm;
16x objective: 1,375 x 1,375 μm

Scan Multiplied FOV area:
10x objective: 215 x 215 μm;
16x objective: 150 x 150 μm

IP License Boston University, Exclusive License: Scan Multiplier Technology for High-Throughput Scanning