DNA double helices for single molecule electronics

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of DNA double helices as components in single molecule electronic devices, demonstrating a transistor effect and proposing applications like a DNA-based Esaki diode.

Contribution

It introduces a model showing how DNA's double helix can enable electric current control and suggests experimental setups and device applications.

Findings

Demonstrated transistor effect in synthetic DNA

Proposed experimental setups for observing the effect

Suggested DNA-based device applications like the Esaki diode

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.