Fiber Photometry with Fluorescence Mini Cubes (FMC, 1-2 sites)
The Fluorescence Mini Cube (FMC), a pre-assembled system of filters, optical collimators, and FC receptacles (ports), combines all excitation lights toward the sample port and separates fluorescence light coming from the sample port. Its classification is based on the number of ports from 3 to 7. Some experiments require an FMC with several excitations and detection channels, optional optogenetic activation/silencing channel, etc., directly affecting the FMC ports count. Initially, all ports used optical fibers to connect to light sources, detectors, and a sample under test. However, eliminating fiber connections to detectors and LED light sources significantly improves signal detection while simplifying the setup and making it more compact and less fragile. For example, attaching the Fluorescence Detector directly to FMC results in a 30% increase in signal transmission. A 2-nd generation FMC with built-in LED(s), detector(s), and amplifiers have fewer electrical connections and only one fiber link leading to the sample. We still offer cubes with FC receptacles on all ports and those with built-in detectors for legacy reasons.
One-site fiber photometry with behaving animal needs a Pigtailed 1x1 Fiber-optic Rotary Joint. In contrast, the two-site fiber photometry requires two Fluorescence Mini Cubes cubes and a Pigtailed 2x2 Fiber-optic Rotary Joint.