A neural probe is provided. The probe includes: a base that includes an optical demultiplexer, and one or more shanks extending from the base, with each shank including one or more waveguides. In the neural probe, the optical demultiplexer is optically connected to the one or more waveguides of each shank. A system including the neural probe and an optical multiplexer optically connected to the demultiplexer of the neural probe is also provided. Further, a method of emitting light from a neural probe is provided. The method includes receiving and demultiplexing multiplexed optical signals at a base of a neural probe, and emitting the demultiplexed optical signals from one or more shanks of the neural probe.
