SILICON-NEURON JUNCTION - CAPACITIVE STIMULATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL NEURON ON A SILICON CHIP

An identified nerve cell of the leech is attached to a planar silicon microstructure of p-doped silicon covered by a thin layer of insulatin g silicon oxide. A voltage step, applied between silicon and electroly te, induces a capacitive transient in the cell which elicits an action potential. The capacitive extracellular stimulation is described by a n equivalent electrical four-pole.