Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for monitoring single-molecule biological processes using magnetic sensors and magnetic particles (MNP). A MNP is attached to a biopolymer (e.g., a nucleic acid, protein, etc.), and motion of the MNP is detected and/or monitored using a magnetic sensor. Because the MNP is small (e.g., its size is comparable to the size of the molecule being monitored) and is tethered to a biopolymer, changes in the volume of Brownian motion of the MNP in a solution can be monitored to monitor the movement of the MNP and, by inference, the tethered biopolymer. The magnetic sensor is small (e.g., nanoscale or having a size on the order of the sizes of the MNP and the biopolymer) and can be used to detect even small changes in the position of the MNP within the sensing region of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may allow for improved and more reliable tunneling junctions and methods of fabricating the tunneling junctions. Electrical shorting issues may be reduced by depositing electrodes without a sharp sidewall and corner but instead with a sloping or curved sidewall. Layers deposited on top of the electrode layer may then be able to adequately cover the underlying electrode layer and therefore reduce or prevent shorting. Additionally, two insulating materials may be used as the dielectric layer may reduce the possibility of incomplete coverage and the possibility of flaking. Furthermore, the electrodes may be tapered from the contact area to the junction area to provide a thin electrode where the hole is to be patterned, while the thicker contact area reduces sheet resistance. The electrode may also be patterned to be wider at the contact area and narrower at the junction area.

Abstract: Molecules may be analyzed (e.g., sequencing of nucleic acid molecules) by tunneling recognition at a tunneling junction. Embodiments of the present invention may allow detecting individual nucleotides and the sequencing of a nucleic acid molecule using a tunneling junction. By labeling a specific 5 nucleotide with a moiety, tunneling junctions may generate a signal with a suitable signal-to-noise ratio. An electric field may be applied to move the nucleic acid molecule and the moiety close to the tunneling junction so that a current may travel through the moiety. Because a single nucleotide can be detected with a signal with a suitable signal-to-noise ratio resulting from the tunneling current passing through 10 the moiety, embodiments of the present invention may allow for fast detection of nucleotides using a tunneling current.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may allow for improved and more reliable tunneling junctions and methods of fabricating the tunneling junctions. Electrical shorting issues may be reduced by depositing electrodes without a sharp sidewall and corner but instead with a sloping or curved sidewall. Layers deposited on top of the electrode layer may then be able to adequately cover the underlying electrode layer and therefore reduce or prevent shorting. Additionally, two insulating materials may be used as the dielectric layer may reduce the possibility of incomplete coverage and the possibility of flaking. Furthermore, the electrodes may be tapered from the contact area to the junction area to provide a thin electrode where the hole is to be patterned, while the thicker contact area reduces sheet resistance. The electrode may also be patterned to be wider at the contact area and narrower at the junction area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may allow for improved and more reliable tunneling junctions and methods of fabricating the tunneling junctions. Electrical shorting issues may be reduced by depositing electrodes without a sharp sidewall and corner but instead with a sloping or curved sidewall. Layers deposited on top of the electrode layer may then be able to adequately cover the underlying electrode layer and therefore reduce or prevent shorting. Additionally, two insulating materials may be used as the dielectric layer may reduce the possibility of incomplete coverage and the possibility of flaking. Furthermore, the electrodes may be tapered from the contact area to the junction area to provide a thin electrode where the hole is to be patterned, while the thicker contact area reduces sheet resistance. The electrode may also be patterned to be wider at the contact area and narrower at the junction area.