FASER: a tool for vectorial point spread function simulation with applications in stimulated emission depletion microscopy

1. Neurophotonics. 2025 Jan;12(1):017801. doi: 10.1117/1.NPh.12.1.017801. Epub
2025 Feb 12.

FASER: a tool for vectorial point spread function simulation with applications
in stimulated emission depletion microscopy.

Roos J(1)(2), Bancelin S(2)(3), Nägerl UV(2)(4).

Author information:
(1)Johannes Kepler University, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Linz,
Austria.
(2)University of Bordeaux, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neurosciences, CNRS,
UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France.
(3)IOGS – CNRS – University of Bordeaux, Numerical and Nanosciences Photonics
Laboratory (LP2N), UMR 5298, Talence, France.
(4)University Medical Center Göttingen, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology,
Göttingen, Germany.

We introduce FASER, a software package designed to simulate the excitation point
spread functions (PSFs) of microscopes. It is written in Python as a plugin for
the open-source platform Napari. Using a full-vectorial computational approach
to simulate the electromagnetic fields within the focal region makes precise
predictions and allows detailed analyses of excitation PSFs. FASER is intended
as a pedagogical tool enabling users to explore the impacts of various
geometrical and optical parameters of practical importance on the performance of
the microscope. It supports the modeling of complex beam profiles, including
donut and bottle-shaped beams, which are commonly used in advanced microscopy
techniques such as stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy. Through
specific simulations and accessible illustrations, we showcase FASER’s
capabilities in capturing characteristic features of STED microscopy, making it
a practical resource for researchers and students in optical microscopy to
explore and optimize high-resolution imaging techniques.

© 2025 The Authors.

DOI: 10.1117/1.NPh.12.1.017801
PMCID: PMC11817813
PMID: 39944080

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus