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Galvo Box - Scanning Microscopy Interface

The Galvo Box (mAIkroscope Galvo Interface Board) brings advanced scanning capabilities to UC2 microscopes through precision galvanometer mirror control. This system enables laser scanning microscopy, time-resolved imaging, and synchronization with external detectors.

What is Galvo Scanning?​

Galvanometer mirrors are electrically controlled mirrors that can rapidly and precisely steer laser beams in 2D. By scanning a focused laser beam across a sample and synchronizing detection with the beam position, you can create high-resolution images or perform point-by-point measurements.

Key Features​

Dual-Axis Galvo Control​

  • On-board 12-bit SPI DAC generates ±10V differential XY signals
  • Compatible with low-cost Chinese galvo drivers
  • Seeed XIAO ESP32-S3 MCU for scan synthesis

Synchronized Triggering​

  • Three independent 50Ω trigger outputs (pixel, line, frame)
  • U.FL laser blanking output
  • Precise timing for detector synchronization

CAN Bus Integration​

  • CAN 2.0B bus for remote control
  • Compatible with UC2-CAN protocol
  • Network multiple devices together

Power System​

  • Integrated ±12V/3.3V/5V analog rails
  • 2A output budget for external driver modules
  • Complete power solution for galvo systems

What You'll Learn​

  • Galvanometer mirror control and calibration
  • Laser scanning microscopy principles
  • DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) operation
  • Trigger signal generation and synchronization
  • CAN bus communication protocols
  • High-speed image acquisition
  • Integration with time-resolved detectors

Applications​

  • Laser scanning microscopy
  • Two-photon excitation microscopy
  • Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM)
  • Point-scanning confocal microscopy
  • Optogenetics with spatial control
  • Material ablation and lithography
  • Synchronized multi-modal imaging

Technical Specifications​

ParameterValueNotes
Backbone input12V ±5%via JST connector
Board consumption~50mAexcludes external drivers
Galvo supply±12V, 2A maxpass-through to drivers
DAC resolution12-bit4096 steps over ±10V
Output bandwidth~25kHz (-3dB)limited by amplifier stage
Trigger level3.3V CMOS50Ω back-terminated
CAN busISO11898-2, 1Mbit/s120Ω termination selectable

System Architecture​

ESP32-S3 ↔ SPI ↔ MCP4822 DAC → Differential Amps → Galvo Drivers
    │                    │
    │                    ├─ Pixel/Line/Frame triggers
    │                    └─ Laser blanking
    └─ CAN bus → External control

Required Components​

  • mAIkroscope Galvo Interface Board
  • Dual-axis galvanometer mirror system
  • External galvo drivers (±10V input)
  • Laser source with blanking input
  • Detector with trigger input (e.g., FLIM detector)
  • 12V power supply
  • UC2 mounting components

Integration Examples​

Successfully integrated with:

  • FLIMlabs.com detector systems
  • Pulsed laser sources
  • Time-resolved photon counting systems
  • Custom UC2-CAN networks

Perfect for researchers in advanced microscopy, biophysics, and anyone interested in high-speed laser scanning and time-resolved imaging techniques!