Methods for measuring analytes using nanofabricated device
First Claim
1. A device for sequencing a linear biomolecule using quantum tunneling, the device comprising:
- a substrate having a top surface;
a first electrode disposed on and in contact with a first portion of the top surface of the substrate;
a first dielectric layer disposed on and in contact with a second portion of the top surface of the substrate, wherein a top surface of the first dielectric layer and a top surface of the first electrode are substantially coplanar;
a second electrode, wherein;
a first portion of the second electrode is disposed on and in contact with the top surface of the first dielectric layer, anda second portion of the second electrode is suspended over the first electrode, wherein the second portion suspended over the first electrode spans from a first end of the first electrode to an opposite end of the first electrode and is continuous; and
a gap defined by the top surface of the first electrode, a bottom surface of the second electrode, the top surface of the first dielectric layer, a first side surface of the second electrode, and a second side surface of the second electrode, wherein a width of the gap corresponds to a size of the linear biomolecule such that a quantum tunneling current is transmitted between the first electrode and the second electrode when;
a voltage is applied across the first electrode and the second electrode; and
a part of the linear biomolecule is present in the gap;
wherein;
the substrate comprises a second dielectric layer in contact with a bottom surface of the first electrode;
a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer and the bottom surface of the first electrode are substantially coplanar; and
the second dielectric layer is in contact with the bottom surface of the first dielectric layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices for sequencing linear biomolecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, polypeptides, proteins, and the like) using quantum tunneling effects, and methods of making and using such devices, are provided. A nanofabricated device can include a small gap formed by depositing a thin film between two electrodes, and subsequently removing the film using an etching process. The width of the resulting gap can correspond with the size of a linear biomolecule such that when a part of the biomolecule (e.g., a nucleobase or amino acid) is present in the gap, a change in tunneling current, voltage, or impedance can be measured and the part of the biomolecule identified. The gap dimensions can be precisely controlled at the atomic-scale by, for example, atomic layer deposition (ALD) of the sacrificial film. The device can be made using existing integrated circuit fabrication equipment and facilities, and multiple devices can be formed on a single chip.
6 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for sequencing a linear biomolecule using quantum tunneling, the device comprising:
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a substrate having a top surface; a first electrode disposed on and in contact with a first portion of the top surface of the substrate; a first dielectric layer disposed on and in contact with a second portion of the top surface of the substrate, wherein a top surface of the first dielectric layer and a top surface of the first electrode are substantially coplanar; a second electrode, wherein; a first portion of the second electrode is disposed on and in contact with the top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a second portion of the second electrode is suspended over the first electrode, wherein the second portion suspended over the first electrode spans from a first end of the first electrode to an opposite end of the first electrode and is continuous; and a gap defined by the top surface of the first electrode, a bottom surface of the second electrode, the top surface of the first dielectric layer, a first side surface of the second electrode, and a second side surface of the second electrode, wherein a width of the gap corresponds to a size of the linear biomolecule such that a quantum tunneling current is transmitted between the first electrode and the second electrode when; a voltage is applied across the first electrode and the second electrode; and a part of the linear biomolecule is present in the gap; wherein; the substrate comprises a second dielectric layer in contact with a bottom surface of the first electrode; a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer and the bottom surface of the first electrode are substantially coplanar; and the second dielectric layer is in contact with the bottom surface of the first dielectric layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification