3D rendered images of the macroscope, showing the system design and optical components. Credit: Ian Coghill

A team of European researchers has developed a versatile, open-source luminescence imaging instrument designed to democratize access to advanced fluorescence and electroluminescence techniques across disciplines ranging from plant science to materials research.

The new system, detailed in Optics Express, offers an affordable and customizable alternative to bespoke laboratory setups and was developed with support from the DREAM project.

The device—described as a luminescence macroscope with dynamic illumination—combines flexibility, affordability, and precision in a single platform. Unlike conventional imaging instruments, which are often constrained by fixed optical architectures, the macroscope supports complex, time-resolved illumination and detection protocols.

Researchers can program arbitrary light modulation sequences, synchronize multiple wavelengths, and record high-speed responses, all while maintaining compatibility with diverse sample types—from potted plants to photovoltaic devices.

Bridging the gap between optical innovation and accessibility

Luminescence imaging has become a cornerstone of modern science, capable of revealing molecular and physiological processes invisible to the naked eye. Yet, implementing advanced illumination protocols typically requires deep expertise in optics, electronics, and software engineering.

“Our goal was to remove that barrier,” said co-lead author Dr. Ian Coghill of École Normale Supérieure, Paris. “We’ve built a system that others can easily replicate, without specialist training.”

The team provides open access to a complete suite of resources—computer-aided design (CAD) files, detailed build instructions, calibration protocols, and Python-based control software. The entire system can be assembled for less than €25,000, using mostly off-the-shelf and 3D-printed components. This makes it feasible for small laboratories and interdisciplinary teams to perform experiments once reserved for high-end custom setups.

A single platform, many disciplines

The macroscope’s design accommodates multiple illumination sources spanning ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths (405–740 nm) and supports synchronized imaging up to 100 frames per second. It can apply tailored modulation sequences—sinusoidal, pulsed, or user-defined—to probe the kinetics of photoactive systems.

The research team demonstrated its capabilities across a wide range of applications:

• Plant physiology: Measuring photosynthetic parameters and tracking the uptake of herbicides in Arabidopsis thaliana using dynamic fluorescence protocols.
• Protein photophysics: Distinguishing reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins through their kinetic “fingerprints,” using methods such as RIOM (Rectified Imaging under Optical Modulation).
• Optoelectronic devices: Mapping the frequency-dependent electroluminescence of solar cells and LEDs, shedding light on charge transport and recombination dynamics.

“These examples are just a glimpse of what’s possible,” noted Dr. Ludovic Jullien, senior author and coordinator of the DREAM project.

“By combining open hardware with programmable illumination, we hope to enable both fundamental research and practical innovation in fields as diverse as plant biology, photonics, and renewable energy.”

In keeping with the open-science ethos of the DREAM project, all build files, analysis scripts, and experimental data are freely accessible via Zenodo. The researchers invite the scientific community to adapt the design to their needs, modify it for new optical modalities, or incorporate it into automated imaging workflows.

“This is not a one-off prototype,” said Coghill. “It’s a platform others can build upon—an accessible gateway to exploring dynamic photophysics.”

More information: Ian Coghill et al, Versatile luminescence macroscope with dynamic illumination for photoactive systems, Optics Express (2025). DOI: 10.1364/oe.570450

Citation: Open-source ‘macroscope’ offers dynamic luminescence imaging (2025, November 7) retrieved 7 November 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-11-source-macroscope-dynamic-luminescence-imaging.html

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