DNA double helices for single molecule electronics

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.