his article reports on the development, i.e., the
design, fabrication, and validation of an implantable optical
neural probes designed for in vivo experiments relying on
optogenetics. The probes comprise an array of ten bare light-
emitting diode (LED) chips emitting at a wavelength of
460 nm and integrated along a flexible polyimide-based sub-
strate stiffened using a micromachined ladder-like silicon
structure. The resulting mechanical stiffness of the slender,
250-μm-wide, 65-μm-thick, and 5- and 8-mm-long probe
shank facilitates its implantation into neural tissue. The
LEDs are encapsulated by a fluropolymer coating protecting
the implant against the physiological conditions in the brain.
The electrical interface to the external control unit is provided
by 10-μm-thick, highly flexible polyimide cables making the
probes suitable for both acute and chronic in vivo experiments.
Optical and electrical properties of the probes are reported, as

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• Hybrid intracerebral probe with integrated bare LED chips for optogenetic studies