Issue 9, 2024

Development of wafer-scale multifunctional nanophotonic neural probes for brain activity mapping

Abstract

Optical techniques, such as optogenetic stimulation and functional fluorescence imaging, have been revolutionary for neuroscience by enabling neural circuit analysis with cell-type specificity. To probe deep brain regions, implantable light sources are crucial. Silicon photonics, commonly used for data communications, shows great promise in creating implantable devices with complex optical systems in a compact form factor compatible with high volume manufacturing practices. This article reviews recent developments of wafer-scale multifunctional nanophotonic neural probes. The probes can be realized on 200 or 300 mm wafers in commercial foundries and integrate light emitters for photostimulation, microelectrodes for electrophysiological recording, and microfluidic channels for chemical delivery and sampling. By integrating active optical devices to the probes, denser emitter arrays, enhanced on-chip biosensing, and increased ease of use may be realized. Silicon photonics technology makes possible highly versatile implantable neural probes that can transform neuroscience experiments.

Graphical abstract: Development of wafer-scale multifunctional nanophotonic neural probes for brain activity mapping

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
30 okt. 2023
Accepted
24 mar. 2024
First published
26 mar. 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Lab Chip, 2024,24, 2397-2417

Development of wafer-scale multifunctional nanophotonic neural probes for brain activity mapping

F. D. Chen, A. Sharma, D. A. Roszko, T. Xue, X. Mu, X. Luo, H. Chua, P. G. Lo, W. D. Sacher and J. K. S. Poon, Lab Chip, 2024, 24, 2397 DOI: 10.1039/D3LC00931A

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