We were driven by a desire to easily ⚡️ large groups of neurons to study computations requiring coordinated activity across the 🧠
Tools exist to photostim select patterns of neurons, e.g. holographic stim, but these can be a bit restrictive; both in # of neurons, but also in setup/maintenance. 2/n
Our solution: instead of a complex/separate optical path, we route our ⚡ ️laser through the same resonant-scanning path as the imaging laser and simply turn it on/off over neurons/areas of interest. This allows for pixel-resolution accuracy, and ability to ⚡ ️anywhere in the FOV you can image. 3/n
With raster photostim, we can perform photostim experiments at a large scale, for example by targeting thousands of neurons in a single pattern and updating those patterns on a frame-by-frame basis. 4/n
While there are tradeoffs to using raster photostim (e.g. no simultaneous activation like holo photostim), we hope this tool helps to simplify and increase access for others wanting to do all-optical experiments, especially at a large-scale/across different brain regions! 7/n