title: SEM-induced shrinking of solid-state nanopores for single molecule detection.
abstract: We have investigated the mechanism by which the diameter of solid-state nanopores is reduced by a scanning electron microscope. The process depends on beam parameters such as the accelerating voltage and electron flux and does not involve simple electron-beam-induced deposition of hydrocarbon contaminants. Instead, it is an energy-dependent process that involves material flow along the surface of the nanopore membrane. We also show that pores fabricated in this manner can detect double stranded DNA.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering and Health Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Anmiv S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: Joseph W F
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Zhorro
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nikolov
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kasianowicz
authors.forename: Min Jun
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D058608:Nanopores / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016062:Porosity; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D004247:DNA