Comprehension of the brain function can be helpful for therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. The brain consists of various types of neuron sets, which organize in three-dimensional complex networks and form neural circuits underlying different behaviors. The circuits act based on the patterns that encode the brain functions. Recognition of the neural patterns requires methods to manipulate the neurons. Electrical stimulation may be the most common method. However, it has significant drawbacks including failure to identify specific neurons in experiments. As an alternative, optical stimulation is a new method that acts in combination with genetic approaches. The novel, optogenetic technology makes it feasible to manipulate either the specific cell types or the neural circuits. This is associated with minimum tissue damages as well as side effects. In this study, a new technology has been introduced, and then its optical and genetical tools have been investigated.

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Requirement of voltage up-converters due to high pull-in voltage is one of the main problems by merely electrostatic actuated Microelectromechanical system-based switches. Thermally actuated switches are another alternatives but with very high power dissipation. In this paper a low voltage switch is demonstrated, which uses a combined thermo-electrostatic actuator. The switch can be integrated with standard CMOS circuits without any up-converters. Thermally power dissipation for the switch is lower than just thermal actuators. The switching time is about 70µs and the maximal temperature of thermal actuator is lower than 150oC which cannot cause any longtime damage. Isolation and Insertion Loss quantities have been calculated to -25dB and -0.65dB at 20GHz from HFSS results respectively.

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