Optical Control in a Single-molecule Electrochemical Sensor

单分子检测技术为科学家观察常规技术难以感知的生物分子功能提供了强大的平台。量子隧道技术与生物传感器相结合，由于具有高空间分辨率和高灵敏度等优点，近年来引起了人们的广泛关注。然而，以容易和低成本可控地制造隧道装置仍然是具有挑战性的。本项目旨在开发一种通过电化学反馈控制沉积铂来制备隧道器件的新方法。这种电化学制造的隧道结可能具有更长的长期稳定性，非常适合于复杂样品的连续监测。单分子技术由于能够在纳米尺度上进行分子研究而引起了极大的关注。隧道传感器是一类具有极高空间分辨率和灵敏度的单分子检测技术。然而，检测过程中的一个障碍是时间分辨率较差。克服这一挑战的一个有希望的途径是将超快光谱与隧道探测相结合。本项目采用电化学沉积和电迁移击穿相结合的方法，制备了一种新型的基于双管纳米管的隧道传感器。

Single-molecule detection technique provides a powerful platform for scientists to observe biomolecular function that is difficult to sense using conventional techniques. Quantum tunnelling, combined with biosensors has raised broad interests recently due to its advantages in high spatial resolution and sensitivity. However, it is still challenging to controllably fabricate a tunnelling device with ease and low cost. This project aims to develop a novel method for fabrication of tunnelling device by electrochemical feedback-control deposition of platinum. Such electrochemically fabricated tunnelling junctions will likely have extended long term stability and will be ideally suited for continuous monitoring in complex samples. Single-molecule techniques have attracted great attention because of their ability to conduct studies of molecules at the nanoscale. Tunnelling sensors are a class of single-molecule detection techniques that possess extremely high spatial resolution and sensitivity. However, an obstacle during detection is the poor temporal resolution. One promising route to overcome this challenge is to combine ultrafast spectroscopy with tunnelling detection. In this project, the combination of electrochemical deposition and electromigration breakdown is applied to fabricate a new type of tunnelling sensors that are based on dual-barrel nanopipettes.