Entropic Trapping and Escape of Long DNA Molecules at Submicron Size Constriction

J. Han, S. W. Turner, and H. G. Craighead
Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 1688 – Published 23 August 1999; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 1394 (2001)
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Abstract

We studied the passage of DNA molecules, driven by an electric field, through a microfabricated channel with 90 nm size constrictions. DNA molecules were entropically trapped at the constriction and escaped with a characteristic lifetime. Counterintuitively, longer DNA were found to escape entropic traps faster than shorter ones. DNA molecules overcome the entropic barrier by stretching their monomers into the constriction, which results in the fact that the energy barrier for DNA escape is independent of the chain length.

  • Received 19 February 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.1688

©1999 American Physical Society

Erratum

Authors & Affiliations

J. Han*, S. W. Turner, and H. G. Craighead

  • Cornell University, School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Ithaca, New York 14853

  • *Electronic address: jh97@cornell.edu

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Vol. 83, Iss. 8 — 23 August 1999

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