Tapered multicore optical fiber probe for optogenetics

Optical controlling and reading-out highly localized intracellular signaling events in network of neurons, single neurons and subcellular compartments is considered as the most groundbreaking innovation in the neuroscience field in recent years. New optical readout and manipulation tools for optogenetics are continuously required. Here we report on a tapered multicore optical fiber system able to achieve multipoint illumination and polychromatic lightening of a target with the resolution of single-cell and single organelles. The steering of the output beam can be achieved by controlling the wavelength and phase of the optical signals coupled to the fiber. Consequently, the change of the direction of the beam can be achieved without rotating the device, reducing the invasiveness of the final device. The possibility to steer the output optical beam can also allow to minimize the photoelectrical and photochemical effects caused by coupling the microelectrode and optical manipulation optoelectronics probes. Finally, our system can also collect light by exploiting multisite photometry approach.