Infrared neural stimulation and inhibition using an implantable silicon photonic microdevice

This paper demonstrates the in vivo application of a multimodal photonic neural probe that integrates optical, thermal, and electrophysiological functions. The device uses an embedded infrared waveguide to precisely control temperature distribution in deep brain tissue, while simultaneously recording artefact-free electrical responses of individual cells. In rat neocortex and hippocampus, continuous wave infrared light (λ = 1550 nm) reversibly increased or suppressed neuronal firing rates, showcasing its potential as an advanced tool for studying thermally evoked responses in deep neural tissue.

Ágoston Csaba Horváth, Sándor Borbély, Örs Csanád Boros, Lili Komáromi, Pál Koppa, Péter Barthó, Zoltán Fekete