On the distribution of DNA translocation times in solid-state nanopores: an analysis using Schrodinger's first-passage-time theory

TL;DR

This paper applies Schrodinger's first-passage-time theory to analyze DNA translocation times in solid-state nanopores, revealing insights into translocation regimes, velocity, and diffusion, with implications for DNA sequencing.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of Schrodinger's distribution to DNA translocation data, providing a new analytical framework and parameter estimation method.

Findings

Schrodinger's formula accurately describes DNA translocation time distribution.

Two translocation regimes identified: low voltage entropic effects and high voltage linear velocity.

Diffusion constant aligns with Stokes-Einstein theory, indicating dispersion mechanisms.

Abstract

In this short note, a correction is made to the recently proposed solution [1] to a 1D biased diffusion model for linear DNA translocation and a new analysis will be given to the data in [1]. It was pointed out [2] by us recently that this 1D linear translocation model is equivalent to the one that was considered by Schrodinger [3] for the Enrenhaft-Millikan measurements [4,5] on electron charge. Here we apply Schrodinger's first-passage-time distribution formula to the data set in [1]. It is found that Schrodinger's formula can be used to describe the time distribution of DNA translocation in solid-state nanopores. These fittings yield two useful parameters: drift velocity of DNA translocation and diffusion constant of DNA inside the nanopore. The results suggest two regimes of DNA translocation: (I) at low voltages, there are clear deviations from Smoluchowski's linear law of electrophoresis [6] which we attribute to the entropic barrier effects; (II) at high voltages, the translocation velocity is a linear function of the applied electric field. In regime II, the apparent diffusion constant exhibits a quadratic dependence on applied electric field, suggesting a mechanism of Taylor dispersion effect likely due the electro-osmotic flow field in the nanopore channel. This analysis yields a dispersion-free diffusion constant value for the segment of DNA inside the nanopore which is in agreement with Stokes-Einstein theory quantitatively. The implication of Schrodinger's formula for DNA sequencing is discussed.