Issue 42, 2017

Real-time visualization and sub-diffraction limit localization of nanometer-scale pore formation by dielectric breakdown

Abstract

Herein, we introduce synchronous, real-time, electro-optical monitoring of nanopore formation by DB. Using the same principle as sub-diffraction microscopy, our nanopore localization platform based on wide-field microscopy and calcium indicators provides nanoscale sensitivity. This enables us to establish critical limitations of the fabrication process and improve its reliability. In particular, we find that under certain conditions, multiple nanopores may form and that nanopores may preferentially localize at the membrane junction, either of which potentially render nanopore sensing ineffective. As the breakdown parameters of silicon materials are highly manufacturer-specific, we anticipate that our visualization platform will enable users to easily optimize DB fabrication according to specific needs. Furthermore, our technique furthers the applicability of DB to more complicated architectures, such as membranes with selectively thinned regions and plasmonic nanowells.

Graphical abstract: Real-time visualization and sub-diffraction limit localization of nanometer-scale pore formation by dielectric breakdown

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Apr 2017
Accepted
27 Sep 2017
First published
28 Sep 2017

Nanoscale, 2017,9, 16437-16445

Real-time visualization and sub-diffraction limit localization of nanometer-scale pore formation by dielectric breakdown

A. Zrehen, T. Gilboa and A. Meller, Nanoscale, 2017, 9, 16437 DOI: 10.1039/C7NR02629C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements