LEDs are among the most commonly used light sources in optogenetics, suitable for experiments stimulating large regions-of-interest (with 400 µm - 1mm diameter) at moderate light intensities. Their large emitter, inherent safety, reliability, and affordability make them a preferred option across a variety of experimental designs.

At Doric Lenses, we offer a wide range of CLED wavelengths in the near-UV (350-400 nm), visible (400-700 nm) and near IR range (700-1100 nm) for standard optogenetic applications.

In addition to individual LEDS, we provide advanced configurations for specialized applicationc including:

CONNECTORIZED LED WITH ROTARY JOINT (LEDFRJ)
The Connectorized LED with Rotary Joint is ideal for optogenetic experiments in freely-moving animals, where high-power are needed. This integrated design minimizes the number of components in the optical pathway, resulting in a better overall transmission and high-power, generally more critical for the less powerful amber LEDS (595nm).

WIRELEES OPTOGENETICS
The Wireless Optogenetic headstage is a lightweight, wearable LEDs & Driver. This solution is ideal for studies involving freely-moving animals, where wires can restrict exploration, and/or prevent optogenetic manipulation in multiple animals in the same cage (e.g. during social experiments).

Laser diodes are high-powered light sources with small emitter ideal for optogenetic experiments requiring high intensity of light in small regions-of-interest (< 200um). Their narrow beam profile and monochromatic light output make lasers ideal for illumination through small-diameter patch cords (typically 50–200 µm) and are a great solution when precise spatial targeting is required.

LISER™ (Laser-Induced Spontaneous Emission of Radiation) is an advanced light source providing high-intensity, broad-spectrum illumination. The system uses a laser pumped Ce:YAG (cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) crystal, which emits a continuous spectrum from yellow to red (500–650 nm).

The LISER™ provides exceptionally high optical power (> 85mW full spectrum in a 200 um NA 0.57 fiber) in a spectral range that is difficult to achieve with standard LEDs or laser diodes, particularly around 590 nm, optimal for activating inhibitory opsins such as NpHR and Jaws. In addition to its broad-spectrum output, LISER™ includes an integrated blue excitation source (laser or LED), making it a versatile, all-in-one solution capable of supporting both excitatory and inhibitory optogenetics simultaneously.

The LISER also includes its own internal drivers, allowing independent control of two wavelength channels in the same brain region (e.g. 450 nm + 590 nm).

Key Features:

• Full-Spectrum Coverage: Simultaneously delivers blue excitation plus tunable yellow-red wavelengths using interchangeable optical filters (e.g., 525, 559, 582, 593, 612 nm).
• High-Power: Ideal for experiments requiring intense illumination, including bilateral, and/or large-area stimulation.
• Supports Large Core Patch Cords for wide brain region illumination: Optimized for 200 - 400 µm core diameters, enabling uniform wide-area stimulation.

To operate Doric LED and Laser diode modules, a dedicated light source driver is required. The driver can either come as a standalone device, or can integrate the ligth source (fiber-light sources, FLS).

• Integrated Driver Units (FLS): In this setup, each driver channel has a built-in LED or laser, offering a compact and user-friendly solution.
• Modular Driver Setup (Driver): The LED/laser remains separate from the driver, provides flexibility to switch between different wavelengths.

The driver can be operated in 1) standalone, 2) external modes (Analog or TTL), or 3) program sequences using free Doric Neuroscience Studio (DNS) software. In DNS, users can define a wide range of light stimulation patterns including continuous wave output, square pulse trains, sine waveforms, and cutoms waveforms.

Watch the tutorial video for step-by-step guidance on using LED drivers.

All light source drivers can be triggered by external digital signals, unlocking the ability to do close-loop experiments, where behaviors (lever press, nose poke, beam break, etc.) trigger the optogenetic stimulation. As such, DNS support complex triggering modes to pause, restart, and continue a stimulation pattern, as described in the following tutorial video.

NOTE: LED drivers are only compatible with LEDs, and LD drivers only with lasers.