Limit of detection of field effect transistor biosensors: Effects of surface modification and size dependence

Field-effect transistor biosensors have shown great promise in the detection of biomolecules. However, a quantitative understanding of what limits the smallest measurable concentration of analyte (limit of detection or LOD) is still missing. By considering the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), extracted from a combination of noise and I-V characterization, we are able to accurately predict and experimentally confirm a LOD of 0.01 pH. Our results also show that devices with larger area and with amine functionalized surfaces have larger SNR. We are able to extract the associated oxide trap densities and, thus, quantify the improvements in LOD. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.