Acq4

ACQ4 : A Python-based Modular Data Acquisition Program for Cellular Neurophysiology and Imaging

Version 4.0 (December 20, 2009)

Luke Campagnola. Megan B. Kratz and Paul B. Manis, Ph.D.

Dept. of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery,

Curriculum in Neurobiology

and Dept. of Cell and Molecular Physiology,

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Introduction

ACQ4 is a basic, extensible, data acquisition program for electrophysiology, imaging and optical stimulation. The program is modular and is written in Python. For electrophysiology, ACQ4 supports the Molecular Devices (Axon Instruments) MultiClamp700 series of amplifiers, as well as Axopatch 200B. For imaging, ACQ4 currently supports some Photometrics cameras. For photostimulation or optical scanning, ACQ4 supports driving X-Y scanning mirrors. The program also can read microscope position using optical encoders and parts from an old serial mouse.