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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores

Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores

Published on: October 31, 2013

Solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays optimized for optical detection.

Furat Sawafta¹, Bason Clancy, Autumn T Carlsen

¹Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA.

|May 20, 2014

Summary

Focused helium ion beams reduce silicon nitride membrane fluorescence for optical nanopore sensing. This enables low-background detection of DNA translocation, paving the way for massively-parallel sensing applications.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Biophysics

Background:

Conventional solid-state nanopore sensing relies on ionic current, but optical detection methods are gaining interest.
A major limitation for optical nanopore sensing is background fluorescence from the solid-state membrane, hindering signal detection and limiting fluorophore choices.
An ideal solution involves localized reduction of membrane fluorescence integrated with nanopore fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the use of a focused helium ion beam for controlled reduction of fluorescence in silicon nitride membranes.
To develop low-fluorescence nanopore devices suitable for optical detection and resistive pulse sensing.
To demonstrate the potential for massively-parallel DNA detection using arrays of modified nanopores.

Main Methods:

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Last Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores

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Published on: October 31, 2013

Optical Trapping of Nanoparticles

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Fabrication of nanopores and nanopore arrays in silicon nitride membranes.
Controlled reduction of membrane fluorescence using a focused helium ion beam.
Optical detection of double-strand DNA and resistive pulse sensing of single-strand DNA translocation.

Main Results:

Focused helium ion beam successfully reduced membrane fluorescence in silicon nitride.
Created low-fluorescence nanopore devices capable of both optical and resistive pulse sensing.
Identified translocation of short single-strand DNA through individual nanopores in an array.

Conclusions:

Focused helium ion beam irradiation is an effective method to reduce background fluorescence in silicon nitride nanopore devices.
This technique enables enhanced optical detection of DNA and supports resistive pulse sensing.
The approach holds promise for developing massively-parallel DNA detection systems.