Neural recordings reimagined: a paradigm shift with electro-plasmonic nanoantenna

Harnessing the unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution capability of light to detect electrophysiological signals has been the goal of neuroscientists for nearly 50 years. Yet, progress towards that goal remains elusive due to the lack of electro-optic translators that can efficiently convert bioelectronic activity to high photon-count optical signals. In this talk, I will introduce a novel active plasmonic approach for translating tiny electric field oscillations to large optical signals that can be wirelessly detected in the far field. Our nanoscale electrochromically-loaded plasmonic (nano-electro-plasmonic) antenna overcome the fundamental limitations of state-of-art microelectrode array technologies and enable massively multiplexed measurement of electrophysiological signals with single synapse resolution. We recently demonstrated multimillion-plex, high SNR, and subcellular resolution recordings of cell electrogenic activity, reflecting a technical capability well beyond the theoretical limits of state-of-the-art neuroelectrodes well into the 22nd century.