Silicon Probes
Microfabricated neural interface devices made from silicon substrate with integrated recording electrodes for extracellular neural signal acquisition.
Silicon probes (also called neural probes or microelectrode arrays) are microfabricated devices with discrete electrode sites for extracellular recording at precise locations in neural tissue.
Why it matters: Silicon probes are the core technology enabling high-density, multi-site neural recordings. A single probe can simultaneously record from tens to hundreds of neurons across multiple brain regions or cortical layers, replacing the need for many individual microelectrodes.
How they work: Each probe consists of one or more thin silicon shanks with patterned electrode sites. When inserted into brain tissue, each site detects voltage changes from nearby neuronal activity. The signals are routed through integrated traces to a connector that interfaces with a headstage and data acquisition system.
Key specifications: Site count (1–384+), shank count (1–16), site spacing (pitch), shank length (depth reach), and substrate thickness (15–100 µm) determine a probe's suitability for a given experiment.
Typical applications: Acute and chronic extracellular recordings in rodents, primates, and other animal models for studying neural circuits, sensory processing, motor control, and disease mechanisms.