Slowing DNA translocation in a solid-state nanopore

Reducing a DNA molecule's translocation speed in a solid-state nanopore is a key step toward rapid single molecule identification. Here we demonstrate that DNA translocation speeds can be reduced by an order of magnitude over previous results. By controlling the electrolyte temperature, salt concentration, viscosity, and the electrical bias voltage across the nanopore, we obtain a 3 base/micros translocation speed for 3 kbp double-stranded DNA in a 4-8 nm diameter silicon nitride pore. Our results also indicate that the ionic conductivity inside such a nanopore is smaller than it is in bulk.