Two-photon microscopy is an imaging technique for optical investigations in deep layers of the biological tissue (~0.5-1 mm), but the acquisition of full-frame images is relatively slow (~30 images/sec), because most microscopes use revolving mirrors for the scanning process. This work describes the development of a high-speed two-photon microscope (~1000 images/sec), using acousto-optical deflectors (AOD) as scanning devices. AODs induce several beam distortions, and this work investigates their compensation. A special focus is on beam distortions from the ‘cylindrical lens effect’, an artifact when AODs are used for highest line-scan frequencies. The newly designed microscope has a highly increased sensitivity, allowing for the detection of calcium-transients in individual spines in vivo and in vitro. This is demonstrated in measurements of an acute slice preparation of a Purkinje-cell, and in vivo in the auditory cortex.
«Two-photon microscopy is an imaging technique for optical investigations in deep layers of the biological tissue (~0.5-1 mm), but the acquisition of full-frame images is relatively slow (~30 images/sec), because most microscopes use revolving mirrors for the scanning process. This work describes the development of a high-speed two-photon microscope (~1000 images/sec), using acousto-optical deflectors (AOD) as scanning devices. AODs induce several beam distortions, and this work investigates thei...
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