Vector Arrays™
Microelectrode Arrays for Deep Brain Electrophysiology
Deep Brain Recording and Microstimulation
Silicon probe technology on a stainless steel support body — precise, durable microelectrodes for NHP and large animal deep brain targets.
Vector Array At a Glance
Physical Properties
Up to 110 mm implantable length, 70–150 µm shank width, stainless steel support.
Site Configurations
16, 32, 64, or 128 sites in edge, polytrode, or custom layouts.
Reusability
50+ insertion cycles with proper care. Lower cost per session vs single-use probes.
DAQ Compatibility
Standard ZIF-Clip and Omnetics connectors. Intan, Open Ephys, Plexon, TDT.
What's New for 2026?
Reinforced Design
Available with structural reinforcement for enhanced durability.
Fusion Double-Sided Recording
2× sites in the same footprint. No increase in tissue displacement.
Expanded Channel Count
Up to 128 channels in acute or chronic experiments. Same electrode geometry trusted across NeuroNexus arrays.
Target Deep Brain Structures
Up to 110 mm implantable length for basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem in primate and large animal models.
Durable, Reusable, Cost-effective
50+ experiments per probe with proper care. Hybrid silicon + stainless-steel construction withstands repeated handling and insertion.
Optogenetics Compatible
Mount an optical fiber directly to the Vector Array. Opto variant supports 50–400 µm flat fibers, NA 0.22–0.66.
Integrated Mount: Direct fiber attachment—no separate assembly required
Flexible Fiber Options: Flat fibers: 50–400 µm ID, 0.22–0.66 NA configurations
Validated Applications: Motor cortex, PFC, striatum optogenetics experiments
Works with Your Existing Setup
Standard ZIF-Clip and Omnetics packages connect to Intan, Open Ephys, Plexon, TDT. 50+ application notes and direct technical support.
Standard Connectors: ZIF-Clip, Omnetics — compatible with existing headstages and recording systems
Protocol Library: 50+ application notes covering surgical techniques, signal optimization, and troubleshooting
Direct Technical Support: Expert consultation from NeuroNexus engineers for experiment design and troubleshooting
Site Layout Options
Laminar, polytrode, and custom electrode layouts. 300+ custom probe designs delivered to date.
Laminar: Single-column vertical sampling for layer-specific electrophysiology
Polytrode: Multiple sites per depth (Poly2, Poly3) for single-unit discrimination
Custom Design: Tailored electrode geometry for unique anatomical targets and research goals
Vector Configurations
Choose the Vector family optimized for your research application
Radiens Knows Your Vector Array
Every Vector Array ships with a characterized electrode model — impedance, geometry, and channel mapping — that Radiens reads automatically. During recording, Allego validates signal quality against the expected electrical characteristics of your specific array. This is Informed Acquisition: the software understands the probe.
Probe-Aware Channel Mapping
Radiens automatically loads the Vector Array's electrode geometry, shank layout, and site positions. No manual channel configuration.
Real-Time Signal Quality
Per-channel SNR, impedance, and noise floor monitored continuously during recording. Know the session is good before you remove the array.
Longitudinal Tracking
For chronic implants, Radiens tracks signal quality across sessions. Detect electrode drift or impedance changes before they compromise your dataset.
Comparison Matrix
| Feature | Vector Gen2 | Vector Gen1 | Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Count | 16, 32, 64, 128 | 16, 32, 64 | 8–64 |
| Double-Sided Recording | ✅ Fusion-style (2× density) | ❌ Single-sided only | ❌ Not available |
| Silicon Thickness | 50 µm (standard) 100 µm (Fusion) 150–200 µm (reinforced) | 50 µm (standard only) | Varies (often tungsten/Pt-Ir wire) |
| Support Body Diameter | 315–635 µm | 315–400 µm | 460–640 µm |
| Total Probe Length | 70 mm or 110 mm | 70 mm | 30–150 mm |
| Durability | 50+ acute insertions (hybrid metal backing) | 50+ insertions (hybrid backing) | Typically 10–30 insertions |
| Optogenetics Compatible | ✅ Opto Vector™ variant | ✅ Opto variant | Limited; separate assembly |
| Electrode Site Material | Iridium (SIROF available) | Iridium | Pt, Pt/Ir, tungsten |
| Layout Options | Laminar, polytrode, custom | Laminar, polytrode, custom | Limited catalog options |
| Available Configurations | 13 package codes (V, VC, VZ, VZC, OV, FV) | V, VC, VZ, OV series | Varies by manufacturer |
| Site Area | 177 µm² | 177 µm² | Varies |
| Silicon Electrode Length | 10 mm | 10 mm | Varies |
| DAQ Compatibility (No Retooling) | ✅ Standard systems (Intan, Open Ephys, Plexon, TDT) | ✅ Standard systems | ⚠️ May require adapters |
| Software Requirements | Standard analysis pipelines (no retraining) | Standard pipelines | Varies |
| Migration Ease | ✅ Drop-in from Gen1 or competitors | N/A | ⚠️ Protocol changes may be required |
Expert Support & Resources
What you need for successful Vector Array deployment
Papers citing the use of Vector Arrays
Vector Array in Context
See how Vector Arrays fit specific experimental designs — NHP motor cortex, deep brain recording, and chronic cortical mapping.
Vector Arrays — FAQ
What Vector Arrays are and when to use them.
What is a Vector Array?
Long-shank silicon probes for deep-brain and non-human-primate recording, reaching targets conventional silicon probes cannot.
Are Vector Arrays suitable for chronic recording?
Yes — they are designed for chronic implantation and repeated use in large animals and freely-moving preparations.
How do I choose a Vector Array configuration?
Browse Vector Array options in the webstore, or talk to an application scientist to match one to your target.
Talk to a scientist about Vector Arrays
These are advanced configurations — tell us your experiment and we'll help you get it right.