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Optical Imaging and Control of Neurons

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Convergence of Terahertz Sciences in Biomedical Systems

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Abstract

Although remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the function, organization, and development of the brain by various approaches of modern science and technology, how the brain performs its marvelous function remains unsolved or incompletely understood. This is mainly attributed to the insufficient capability of currently available research tools and conceptual frameworks to deal with enormous complexity of the brain. Hence, in the last couple of decades, a significant effort has been made to crack the complexity of brain by utilizing research tools from diverse scientific areas. The research tools include the optical neurotechnology which incorporates the exquisite characteristics of optics, such as multi-parallel access and non-invasiveness, in sensing and stimulating the excitable membrane of a neuron, the basic functional unit of the brain. This chapter is aimed to serve as a short introduction to the optical neurotechnology for those who wish to use optical techniques as one of their brain research tools.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nano Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Yoon-Kyu Song

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  1. Yoon-Kyu Song
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Correspondence to Yoon-Kyu Song .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Physics & Astronomy, Experimental Plasma Physics, Seoul National University, Gwanak campus, Bldg 56 Room 323, Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Gun-Sik Park

  2. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engin, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu 1, Seoul, 151-747, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Yong Hyup Kim

  3. , Dept of Electronic and Electrical Eng., Postech, San 31, Hyojadong, Namgu, Phang, 790-784, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Haewook Han

  4. College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Seoul National University, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu 103, Seoul, 110-799, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Joon Koo Han

  5. , Department of Physics, KAIST, Guseong-dong, Yuseong-gu 373-1, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Jaewook Ahn

  6. College of Natural Sciences, Department of Physics, University of Seoul, Seoulsiripdaero 163 ,Jeonnong-dong 90, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-743, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Joo-Hiuk Son

  7. College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Seoul National University, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu 103, Seoul, 110-799, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Woong-Yang Park

  8. Yuseong-Gu, [WCI] Quantum beam based, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daedeok-Street 1045, Daejeon, 305-353, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Young Uk Jeong

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Song, YK. (2012). Optical Imaging and Control of Neurons. In: Park, GS., et al. Convergence of Terahertz Sciences in Biomedical Systems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3965-9_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3965-9_14

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