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DNA double helices for single molecule electronics

A. V. Malyshev
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Abstract

The combination of self-assembly and electronic properties as well as its true nanoscale dimensions make DNA a promising candidate for a building block of single molecule electronics. We argue that the intrinsic double helix conformation of the DNA strands provides a possibility to drive the electric current through the DNA by the perpendicular electric (gating) field. The transistor effect in the poly(G)-poly(C) synthetic DNA is demonstrated within a simple model approach. We put forward experimental setups to observe the predicted effect and discuss possible device applications of DNA. In particular, we propose a design of the single molecule analog of the Esaki diode.

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A. V. Malyshev. 2007-03-09. DNA double helices for single molecule electronics. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.98.096801

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