Electronic structure of single DNA molecules resolved by transverse scanning tunnelling spectroscopy

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Errez Shapir - , Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Author)
  • Hezy Cohen - , Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Author)
  • Arrigo Calzolari - , National Research Council of Italy (CNR) (Author)
  • Carlo Cavazzoni - , National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cineca Consortium of Italian Universities (Author)
  • Dmitry A. Ryndyk - , Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Gianaurelio Cuniberti - , Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, University of Regensburg, Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Alexander Kotlyar - , Tel Aviv University (Author)
  • Rosa Di Felice - , National Research Council of Italy (CNR) (Author)
  • Danny Porath - , Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Author)

Abstract

Attempts to resolve the energy-level structure of single DNA molecules by scanning tunnelling spectroscopy span over the past two decades, owing to the unique ability of this technique to probe the local density of states of objects deposited on a surface. Nevertheless, success was hindered by extreme technical difficulties in stable deposition and reproducibility. Here, by using scanning tunnelling spectroscopy at cryogenic temperature, we disclose the energy spectrum of poly(G)-poly(C) DNA molecules deposited on gold. The tunnelling current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and their derivative (dI/dV-V) curves at 78K exhibit a clear gap and a peak structure around the gap. Limited fluctuations in the I-V curves are observed and statistically characterized. By means of ab initio density functional theory calculations, the character of the observed peaks is generally assigned to groups of orbitals originating from the different molecular components, namely the nucleobases, the backbone and the counterions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-74
Number of pages7
JournalNature materials
Volume7
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2008
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 18037894
Scopus 37649025184

Keywords

Keywords

  • Isolated c-60 molecules, Optical spectroscopy, Contrast mechanism, Double helix, Conductance, Microscopy, Transport, Pseudopotentials, Visualization, Environment