Altair-dvOPM: an open-access platform for large-field three-dimensional tissue imaging

Ngo, T.; Faiyazuddin, M.; Nguyen, T. D.; Haug, J.; Shen, Q.; Gałecki, S.; Borges, H. M.; Chen, B.; Wang, X.; Zhu, H.; Pappas, S. S.; Voigt, F. F.; FIolka, R.; Dean, K. M.

doi:10.64898/2026.05.08.723912

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.08.723912

Altair-dvOPM: an open-access platform for large-field three-dimensional tissue imaging

Ngo, T.·Faiyazuddin, M.·Nguyen, T. D.·Haug, J.·Shen, Q.·Gałecki, S.·Borges, H. M.·Chen, B.·Wang, X.·Zhu, H.·Pappas, S. S.·Voigt, F. F.·FIolka, R.·Dean, K. M.

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Abstract

Altair-dvOPM is an open-access direct-view oblique plane microscope designed for large-field, three-dimensional imaging of cleared and expanded tissue sections. By combining photographic-lens-based detection, externally launched oblique illumination and precision-registered modular baseplates, the system achieves micrometer-scale lateral resolution over a ~5.4 mm field of view without custom objectives or highly specialized alignment procedures. We demonstrate imaging across scales, from subcellular structures in expanded cells to centimeter-scale expanded tissue sections, and provide documentation, CAD files, Zemax models and open-source control software to support replication and extension.

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Ngo, T., Faiyazuddin, M., Nguyen, T. D., Haug, J., Shen, Q., Gałecki, S., Borges, H. M., Chen, B., Wang, X., Zhu, H., Pappas, S. S., Voigt, F. F., FIolka, R., Dean, K. M.. 2026-05-12. Altair-dvOPM: an open-access platform for large-field three-dimensional tissue imaging. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.08.723912

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