GalvoStation is a single-channel optoelectronic Laser device designed to perform spatial selective light delivery and collection with OptogeniX Lambda fibers.
GalvoStation allows to confining of the light emitted by a Lambda fiber at sub-sites of its active length. The active sub-site can be scanned arbitrarily along the fiber axis within the active length.
This feature can be exploited to optogenetically stimulate different brain regions with depth resolution in order to i) record the photo-induced electrophysiology signal at different depths with a multielectrode array [REF], or ii) collect the fluorescence signal from different brain regions in a depth-resolved fiber photometry experiment.
The axial resolution of site-selective light delivery/collection with Lambda fibers is represented by the sub-site length.
GalvoStation can be equipped with one or two laser sources and optionally include an optical path for combined light delivery and collection with a single probe. Examples of option sets with related applications are listed in the following table.
| Laser wavelengths [nm] |
Collection band [nm] |
Application example |
| 405 + 473 | 500 – 550 | GCaMP-based spatial selective Fiber Photometry with isosbestic control |
| 473 | N/A | ChR2-based spatial selective optogenetics |
| 405 + 561 | 600 – 650 | RCaMP-based spatial selective Fiber Photometry with isosbestic control |
The complete GalvoStation system consists of the GalvoStation (1), its power supply (2), one or two laser drivers (3), a DAQ board (optional, 4), and a photodetector (optional, 5). A set of patch fibers and all the cables needed are supplied with the system, according to the chosen configuration.
Detailed list of accessories:
A starter kit is also included. It is composed of: one 5-pack of Lambda-plus fibers (fiber type and stub specifications as defined by the customer, including one calibration slide); one probe patch cord (same fiber type as the Lambda-plus fibers); and one sensor patch cord.
In case a rotary joint is to be used, an additional patch cord will be provided with connectors specified during the order.
Probe patch cords provided with the equipment are recommended for optimal use with Lambda-plus fibers and TaperScan software.
The sensors patch cord provided with the GalvoStation is based on a high Numerical Aperture fiber for suitable use with the photodetector optionally included. In case of use with your own photodetector, please consult manufacturer’s guidelines for selection and purchasing of the photodetector patch cord.
The axial resolution of site-selective light delivery/collection with Lambda fibers is represented by the sub-site length.
Lambda fibers are provided with strict tolerance (5%) on the active length, while coarser tolerance is allowed on the taper profile. Although taper profile variability has no practical influence on light emission/collection properties in full taper operation, it does affect the variability of the sub-site length both within (intra) the single Lambda fiber and among (inter) fibers with the same nominal active length. Lambda-plus fibers are Lambda fibers selected with strict tolerance on both taper length and taper profile for a constant sub-site length among fibers of different production batches.
N.B.: Lambda-plus fiber specs are guaranteed only when using OptogeniX patch cords provided with the equipment.
Lambda-plus fiber calibration macro
Lambda-plus fiber calibrator setup
TaperScan software is available for full control of the GalvoStation. It allows to selection of the active sub-site of the Lambda fiber, the operating laser source, and its optical power level. Two modes of operation are implemented: manual mode for direct manual control of the spatial selective light emission from a Lambda fiber, and protocol mode, with which it is possible to program both single source (e.g. for Optogenetic stimulation) and dual source (e.g. for Fiber Photometry with isosbestic control) stimulation routines. TaperScan supports the input from two digital TTL ports to record the occurrence of the event.