Graphene neural interfaces for artifact free optogenetics.

Light-induced artifacts in metal-based microelectrodes significantly limit simultaneous use of electrophysiology with optogenetics or optical imaging. In this work, we systematically investigate light-induced artifacts in Au and transparent graphene electrodes fabricated in the same batch. We demonstrate that the Au electrodes show light artifacts resembling genuine local field potentials, while graphene electrodes are free of light-induced artifacts. With its other desirable properties including high mechanical strength, good conductivity, transparency, and biocompatibility, graphene electrodes show great promise for combining electrical and optical modalities in the same experiment.