Integrated thin-film optrode

A neural probe array comprising:

• a first array substrate, wherein the first array substrate provides a plurality of v-grooves;
• and
• a plurality of neural probes positioned in the plurality of v-grooves, wherein each of the plurality of neural probes is a multi-channel, multi-tiered probe comprising
• a core,
• a plurality of contact lines and electrode sites positioned on the core, wherein the plurality of conductor lines and electrode sites are arranged into multiple sets, and a number of sets corresponds to the number of channels,
• an insulating layer disposed on top of the plurality of conductor lines and electrode sites, wherein the insulating layer provides a plurality of first openings to portions of the plurality of conductor lines and a plurality of second openings to the plurality of electrode sites, and
• a plurality of conductive band each positioned on the core over one of the plurality of first openings.

A neural probe comprising:

• a cylindrical substrate;
• an electrode layer disposed on the cylindrical substrate, wherein the electrode layer is patterned into a plurality of contact lines, each of the plurality of contact lines providing an electrode site, and the electrode sites for each of the plurality of contact lines is offset at different distances from a tip of the cylindrical substrate;
• and
• an insulator layer disposed over the electrode layer, wherein openings in the insulator layer are provided at the electrode sites for each of the plurality of contact lines.