Synchronized resistive-pulse analysis with flow visualization for single micro- and nanoscale objects driven by...

Resistive-pulse analysis is a powerful tool for identifying micro- and nanoscale objects. For low-concentration specimens, the pulse responses are rare, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient number of electrical waveforms to clearly characterize the targets and reduce noise. In this study, we conducted a periodic resistive-pulse analysis using an optical vortex and a double orifice, which repetitively senses a single micro- or nanoscale target particle with a diameter ranging from 700 nm to 2 [Formula: see text]m. The periodic motion results in the accumulation of a sufficient number of waveforms within a short period. Acquired pulses show periodic ionic-current drops associated with the translocation events through each orifice. Furthermore, a transparent fluidic device allows us to synchronously average the waveforms by the microscopic observation of the translocation events and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. By this method, we succeed in distinguishing single particle diameters. Additionally, the results of measured signals and the simultaneous high-speed observations are used to quantitatively and systematically discuss the effect of the complex fluid flow in the orifices on the amplitude of the resistive pulse. The synchronized resistive-pulse analysis by the optical vortex with the flow visualization improves the pulse-acquisition rate for a single specific particle and accuracy of the analysis, refining the micro- and nanoscale object identification.