This technology describes a method for fabricating on-chip silicon nitride waveguides to allow for the miniaturization of optical systems for use as implantable optogenetic stimulation devices.
Optogenetics is a state of the art technique for interfacing with the brain, allowing for monitoring and stimulating neurons that have been genetically engineered to possess light-sensitive ion channels. However, tools for stimulating optogenetic neurons via light emission are typically bulky, limiting the number of emitters that can be employed on a single system, as well as the biocompatibility of optogenetic devices. Currently, there is no available implantable optical device that has high enough resolution to test the spatial and temporal precision of neural encoding.
This technology allows for the miniaturization of optical devices by replacing bulky parts of light emitters and interferometers with silicon nitride parts. Specifically, this technology describes methods for fabrication of a silicon nitride waveguide that can be integrated as a reference arm for on-chip imaging and light emitting applications. The use of silicon nitride reduces the cost of the device while decreasing its size and simultaneously improving the resolution of resulting images and optical projections. These silicon nitride waveguides would enable the miniaturization of interferometers and light emitters, allowing for higher resolution and more biocompatible optogenetic systems for neuroscience experimentation.
IR CU17183
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel