Probing DNA Translocations with Inplane Current Signals in a Graphene Nanoribbon with a Nanopore

Stephanie Heerema, Leonardo Vicarelli, Sergii Pud, Raymond Schouten, Henny Zandbergen, Cees Dekker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

94 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Many theoretical studies predict that DNA sequencing should be feasible by monitoring the transverse current through a graphene nanoribbon while a DNA molecule translocates through a nanopore in that ribbon. Such a readout would benefit from the special transport properties of graphene, provide ultimate spatial resolution because of the single-atom layer thickness of graphene, and facilitate high-bandwidth measurements. Previous experimental attempts to measure such transverse inplane signals were however dominated by a trivial capacitive response. Here, we explore the feasibility of the approach using a custom-made differential current amplifier that discriminates between the capacitive current signal and the resistive response in the graphene. We fabricate well-defined short and narrow (30 nm × 30 nm) nanoribbons with a 5 nm nanopore in graphene with a high-temperature scanning transmission electron microscope to retain the crystallinity and sensitivity of the graphene. We show that, indeed, resistive modulations can be observed in the graphene current due to DNA translocation through the nanopore, thus demonstrating that DNA sensing with inplane currents in graphene nanostructures is possible. The approach is however exceedingly challenging due to low yields in device fabrication connected to the complex multistep device layout.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2623-2633
JournalACS Nano (online)
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • graphene nanoribbon
  • nanopore
  • DNA sequencing
  • biosensing
  • STEM

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