Tunneling junction to distinguish targeted dna segment

Abstract

A nanodevice includes a nanochannel disposed through a dielectric material. A first electrode is disposed on a first side of the nanochannel, is formed within the dielectric material and has a surface exposed within the nanochannel. A second electrode is disposed on a second side of the nanochannel, is formed within the dielectric material and has a surface exposed within the nanochannel opposite the first electrode. A power circuit is connected between the first and second electrodes to create a potential difference between the first and second electrodes such that portions of a molecule can be identified by a change in electrical properties across the first and second electrodes as the molecule passes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for analyzing a molecule, comprising:
 providing a nanochannel disposed through a dielectric material, a first electrode formed within the dielectric material and having a surface exposed within the nanochannel, and a second electrode formed within the dielectric material and having a surface exposed within the nanochannel and a power circuit connected between the first and second electrodes to create a potential difference between the first and second electrodes such that portions of a molecule can be identified by a change in electrical properties across the first and second electrodes;   feeding a linearized version of the molecule down the nanochannel such that the molecule passes between the first and second electrodes; and   measuring the change in electrical properties across the first and second electrodes as the molecule is disposed between the first and second electrodes to characterize the molecule or portions thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes are coated with self-assembled molecules having a functional head-group and generating tunneling current when open strands are present between the first and second electrodes and reducing tunneling current when closed stranded materials are present between the first and second electrodes. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 functionalizing a probe sequence with a conducting molecule or particle to mark a position on the molecule; and   measuring at least one of a length of the molecule and a length between portions of the molecule.   
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 coating different sets of first and second electrodes with a plurality of different functional molecules; and   forming a plurality of conducting molecule or particle types, each type corresponding to one of the different functional molecules, such that a type of conducting molecule or particle generates a different electrical response when between the first and second electrodes of its corresponding functional molecules than any other first and second electrodes having other functional molecules.