www.neuropixels.

org

NEUROPIXELS 2.0
High resolution fully integrated silicon neural probe
for small animal recording

Key Features
• 1280 or 5120 reliable, low-impedance TiN1 electrodes • Channel-independent reference selection (internal or
external)
• Dense 2 row linear electrode layout along one 10-mm
long single shank or four 10-mm long shanks • Small, flexible and light-weight package (0.16-0.18 g)

• 70 x 24 µm shank cross-section • Systematic quality control process to ensure low

variability in performance
• Maximal shank bending ≤200 µm • Fully characterized and qualified
• 384 parallel, full-band (AP2, LFP3), low-noise recording • Compatible with SpikeGLX and Open Ephys software
channels
• Compatible with the Neuropixels 1.0 cabling and PXIe
• On-chip amplification, signal conditioning and digitization system or OneBox

1 Titanium Nitride Electrode, US9384990 B2

2 Action potentials
3 Local field potentials

Important Information
The Neuropixels probes are intended for RESEARCH USE ONLY (“RUO”) in non-human subjects such as small animals*. These Neuropixels
probes should not be used in humans and are not manufactured or approved for human use. They have no proven human efficacy and
are not indicated for human use or any form of clinical use. The Neuropixels probes are provided and delivered for use only under the
imec general terms and conditions of sale of Neuropixels 2.0 probes (“GTC”). [The GTC is available for download on www.neuropixels.org]
 Description
The Neuropixels4 2.0 neural probe is the most advanced CMOS digital
integrated microsystems platform. A miniaturized package (compared
to the Neuropixels 1.0 probes) and the option of a single shank or multiple
shanks will allow for even higher density chronic recording in small
animal models. The probe features 1280 low-impedance TiN recording
sites densely tiled along one thin, 10 mm-long, straight shank, or
5120 electrodes divided over 4 shanks. The 384 parallel low-noise
recording channels integrated in the base enable simultaneous full
band recording of hundreds of neurons. On-chip circuitry for signal
conditioning and digitization results in a small and light-weight
package allowing the implantation and simultaneous use of multiple
probes in close proximity.

Neuropixels probes enable long-term monitoring and dense sampling

of single cell activity as well as larger neuron populations in awake
and anaesthetized animals. The probes connect to the custom-made
recording system via a miniature and light-weight headstage, which is an
essential interface board for reliable power supply, probe configuration,
data streaming and system/probe diagnostics. Each headstage can
connect two probes simultaneously. The probes are compatible with the
Neuropixels 1.0 cables, PXIe based Card and Control System and OneBox,
and are supported by the SpikeGLX and Open Ephys software.

Key Applications 4 Steinmetz et al, Science 2021, Vol 372, Issue 6539

• High-density in vivo recording of neural

activity in small animal models.

• Recording of large neuron populations

from several brain regions in freely moving Ordering information
animals at high spatiotemporal resolution
and large volume coverage. ORDER CODE DESCRIPTION
NP2013 Box of 5 Neuropixels 2.0 multishank probes
Box of 5 Neuropixels 2.0 multishank probes with
NP2014
metal cap
DNP2013 Box of 6 Neuropixels 2.0 dummy multishank probes
Box of 6 Neuropixels 2.0 dummy multishank probes
DNP2014
with metal cap
NP2003 Box of 5 Neuropixels 2.0 single shank probes
COMING SOON

Box of 5 Neuropixels 2.0 single shank probes with

NP2004
metal cap
DNP2003 Box of 6 Neuropixels 2.0 dummy single shank probes
Box of 6 Neuropixels 2.0 dummy single shank probes
DNP2004
with metal cap
Figure 1: SEM image of the shank tip. Indicated are HS_2010 Neuropixels 2.0 headstage
the electrode pitch and exposed materials. HOLDER_2000_C Neuropixels 2.0 metal cap probe holder pair

Figure 2: SEM image of a 12 x 12 µm TiN1 electrode. Figure 3: Dimensions of the different probe packages and locations of REF/GND input pads.
ELECTRODES
NUMBER 1280 (single shank version) or 5120 (multi shank version)
PATTERN linear, two rows
PITCH 15 µm (column), 32 µm (row) (Figure 1)
MATERIAL Porous TiN1 (Figure 2)
SIZE 12 x 12 µm
IMPEDANCE ~150 kΩ (at 1 kHz in PBS5)
SELECTIVITY Local switch under each electrode

SHANK PROPERTIES AND MATERIALS

NUMBER 1 (single shank version) or 4 (multi shank version)
SHANK PITCH 250 µm
WIDTH 70 µm
LENGTH 10 mm
THICKNESS 24 µm
BENDING ≤200 µm (base to tip)
TIP LENGTH 175 µm
TIP SHAPE Chisel
TIP ANGLE ~20º
FRONTSIDE MATERIAL Silicon nitride (Si3N4) (Figure 1)
BACKSIDE MATERIAL Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
SIDEWALL MATERIALS Silicon (Si), silicon dioxide (SiO2)

RECORDING CHANNELS AND DIGITAL INTERFACE

NUMBER 384 (full-band)
BANDWIDTH 0.5 Hz - 10 kHz
AP INPUT-REFERRED NOISE ~6.8 µVrms (typical6)
LFP INPUT-REFERRED NOISE ~5 µVrms (typical)
SAMPLING FREQUENCY 30 kHz
GAIN 100
CROSSTALK 0.35% (single shank) or 1.51% (multi shank) (at 1 kHz; typical) (estimation)
INPUT VOLTAGE RANGE 10 mVpp
ADC RESOLUTION 12 bits
DATA RATE 144 Mb/s
POWER CONSUMPTION ~22 mW (in recording mode; typical)
SHANK HEATING <1°C (in the brain)

REFERENCE SELECTION
Large tip electrode on each shank (Figure 1)
INPUTS
External reference input on the probe package (Figure 3)

5 Phosphate buffered saline

6 Process corner

Figure 4: Headstage for Neuropixels 2.0 probe. One headstage can connect to 2 probes.
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
WIDTH AT PROBE BASE (W1) 3.5 mm
WIDTH AT SMD BASE (W2)
7
3.5 mm
WIDTH OF SILICON SPACER (W3) 2.0 mm
WIDTH OF METAL CAP (W3’) 1.8 mm
WIDTH OF FLEX (W4) 2.0 mm
LENGTH OF PROBE + BASE SMD (L1) 7
14 mm
LENGTH OF SILICON SPACER (L3) 7.8 mm
LENGTH OF METAL CAP (L3’) 8.0 mm
LENGTH OF FLEX (L4) 42 mm
~1.28 mm (with Si spacer)
THICKNESS AT PROBE BASE
~1.83 mm (with metal cap)
THICKNESS OF FLEX 80 µm
EXTERNAL REFERENCE INPUT REF (multiple pads along flex)
GROUND INPUT GND (multiple pads along flex)
BLACK EPOXY EPO-TEK / H70E
CONFORMAL COATING OF SMD7 ELPEGUARD / SL 1307 FLZ-T
~163 mg (with Si spacer)
WEIGHT
~183 mg (with metal cap)

HEADSTAGE
SIZE 10 mm x 14 mm x 3.7 mm
WEIGHT 600 mg
ZIF CONNECTOR 2 x 17-pin
SOLDER PADS GND (ELEC_TIP, CAL_SIG)
CABLE CONNECTOR 4-pin (Omnetics)
CONFORMAL COATING OF SMD 7
ELPEGUARD / SL 1307 FLZ-T

METAL CAP HOLDER

LENGTH 7.5 cm
DIAMETER 4 mm
MATERIAL Aluminium 6061

7 Surface-mount devices: Biasing resistors, decoupling capacitors, EEPROM with probe ID, low-noise reference supply IC

About Neuropixels
The Neuropixels 2.0 neural probe is an advanced silicon CMOS digital integrated microsystem and a tool for neuroscience research. It was developed through
a collaboration funded by Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), University college London (UCL), The Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), the Catholic
University of Leuven (KUL), The Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU, and the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown. Probes were designed,
developed and fabricated at imec, Leuven, Belgium in collaboration with Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), University college London (UCL), The Flemish
Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL), The Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU), and the Champalimaud
Centre for the Unknown.

Legal Disclaimer
The contents of this document are provided by imec, ‘as is’. Imec makes no representations nor warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of
the contents of this publication and reserves the right to make changes to the specifications at any time without notice. All trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. The Neuropixels 2.0 probes are ONLY distributed to the Neuroscience Research Community under the “IMEC GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
SALE OF NEUROPIXELS 2.0 PROBES”. Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a “stichting van
openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is
supported by the Dutch Government), imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.), imec India (Imec India Private Limited), and imec Florida (IMEC USA
nanoelectronics design center).

* Small animals like rodents and non-human primates