Nanofluidic field effect devices feature a gate electrode embedded in the nanochannel wall. The gate electrode creates local variation in the electric field allowing active, tunable control of ionic transport. Tunable control over ionic transport through nanofluidic networks is essential for applications including artificial ion channels, ion pumps, ion separation, and biosensing. Using DC excitation at the gate, experiments have demonstrated multiple current states in the nanochannel, including the ability to switch off the measured current; however, experimental evaluation of transient signals at the gate electrode has not been explored. Modeling results have shown ion transport at the nanoscale has known time scales for diffusion, electromigration, and convection. This supports the evidence detailed here that use of a time-dependent signal to create local perturbation in the electric field can be used for systematic manipulation of ionic transport in nanochannels.
In this report, sinusoidal waveforms of various frequencies were compared against DC excitation on the gate electrode. The ionic transport was quantified by measuring the current through the nanochannels as a function of applied axial and gate potentials. It was found that time varying signals have a higher degree of modulation than a VRMS matched DC signal.
Tuning Single-Molecule Conductance by Controlled Electric Field-Induced trans-to-cis Isomerisation
