Development of a next-generation photo-stimulation device

在这项研究中，我们开发了一种显微镜设备，用它可以刺激光敏分子。在该设备中，一对钽酸铌酸钾（KTN）晶体被用作可调谐透镜，这是一种通过电压改变其折射率的电光器件。通过改变施加在可调谐KTN透镜上的电压，焦距在~23微秒内发生变化。其变焦速度比传统压电式调焦器快500~1000倍。该技术不仅可以应用于神经科学等科学研究，也可以应用于激光加工等工业领域。

In this study we developed a microscope equipment with which photosensitive molecules can be stimulated. In the equipment a pair of potassium tantalate niobate (KTN) crystals were used as a tunable lens, an electro-optic device that changes its refractive index by voltage. By changing the voltage which applied to the tunable KTN lens focus changed within ~23 microseconds. The speed of focus change was about 500~1000 times faster than that of the conventional piezo focuser. This technique can be applicable not only to scientific researches including neuroscience but also industrial field such as laser processing.