Lateral-Gate Biosensor Layout for Larger Biomolecule Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biosensors face limitations in sensitivity and noise ratio due to the direct formation of the sensing region over the transistor, which restricts the size of the sensing region and hinders effective detection of larger biomolecules.
Innovation Solution
The biosensor devices utilize a sensing region spatially separated from the transistor in a lateral direction, allowing for an enlarged sensing area without increasing transistor size, thereby enhancing signal-to-noise ratio and enabling detection of larger biomolecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sensing region is located directly above the transistor, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the sensing region size is constrained by the transistor size, limiting sensitivity and the ability to detect larger biomolecules
Solution Approach 1:
The biosensor is divided into two functionally independent regions: a transistor region for signal processing and a sensing region for biomolecule detection. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently - the transistor size can be kept small for low noise while the sensing region can be enlarged for higher sensitivity and better biomolecule detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing region is positioned laterally adjacent to the transistor rather than directly above it, utilizing lateral spatial arrangement. This dimensional reconfiguration decouples the size constraints between the transistor and sensing region, enabling the sensing region to be enlarged without proportionally increasing the transistor size, thus improving sensitivity while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Measurement precision
If the sensing region size is increased to detect larger biomolecules, then sensitivity and detection accuracy improve, but the transistor size must also increase, leading to higher noise and reduced signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the biosensor into separate transistor and sensing regions, the invention allows the sensing region to be enlarged for detecting larger biomolecules without proportionally increasing the transistor size. This independent sizing enables improved detection accuracy while keeping the transistor compact to maintain low noise levels and high signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral positioning of the sensing region adjacent to the transistor enables independent scaling of the two components. The sensing region can be extended in lateral dimensions to accommodate larger biomolecules, while the transistor maintains its optimized size for minimal noise generation, thus resolving the trade-off between detection accuracy and noise.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the transistor size is reduced to lower noise, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the sensing region size is also reduced, limiting sensitivity and biomolecule detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the biosensor into separate transistor and sensing regions allows independent optimization of each component. The transistor can be minimized in size to reduce noise and improve signal-to-noise ratio, while the sensing region can be independently sized to provide sufficient sensitivity for biomolecule detection, eliminating the coupled size constraint in conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
By repositioning the sensing region laterally adjacent to the transistor rather than vertically above it, the invention enables independent dimensional optimization. The transistor size can be reduced for low noise operation while the sensing region maintains adequate size for sensitivity, as their sizes are no longer geometrically coupled through vertical stacking.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves a higher signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity, enabling effective detection of larger biomolecules such as DNA and proteins, while maintaining low noise levels.
Implementation Method 1
Biosensors that include transistors are sensors that electrically sense charges, photons, and mechanical properties of bio-entities or biomolecules
Data Source
AI summary
Biosensor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A cavity is formed in a substrate and is configured to receive one or more charged molecules. A transistor is formed in the substrate and includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region that are spatially separated from the cavity in a lateral direction. A gate of the transistor is disposed below the cavity and extends between the cavity and the source, drain, and channel regions. A voltage potential of the gate is based on a number of the charged molecules in the cavity.