Crosstalk between adjacent nanopores in a solid-state membrane array for multi-analyte high-throughput biomolecule detection

Single nanopores are used to detect a variety of biological molecules. The modulations in ionic current under applied bias across the nanopore contain important information about translocating species, thus providing single analyte detection. These systems are, however, challenged in practical situations where multiple analytes have to be detected at high throughput. This paper presents the analysis of a multi-nanopore system that can be used for the detection of analytes with high throughput. As a scalable model, two nanopores were simulated in a single solid-state membrane. The interactions of the electric fields at the mouths of the individual nanopores were analyzed. The data elucidated the electrostatic properties of the nanopores from a single membrane and provided a framework to calculate the similar to 3 dB distance, akin to the Debye length, from one nanopore to the other. This distance was the minimum distance between the adjacent nanopores such that their individual electric fields did not significantly interact with one another. The results can help in the optimal experimental design to construct solid-state nanopore arrays for any given nanopore size and applied bias. Published by AIP Publishing.