Holographic photo-stimulation for dynamic control of neuronal population activity

Spatiotemporal patterns of activity carried across large populations of neurons are the fundamental representation of information within the nervous system. Patterned optical photo-stimulation of neural populations provides a general strategy for controlling such spatial-temporal patterns, but previous realizations of this technology did not allow high-rate, parallel, light-efficient control of large neural populations. To address this challenge, we have been developing a new generation of holographic pattern photo-stimulation systems that use phase-only spatial light modulators (SLM) to create computer-controlled light patterns in two and three dimensions. SLMs use phase modulation and light diffraction to provide a light-efficient method for flexibly creating desired light patterns which can be switched in our systems in millisecond timescales. Holographic photo-stimulation provides a powerful strategy for dynamic patterned photo-stimulation of neural populations and could be used in research and neuroprosthetic interfaces.