Field-Effect Device for the Detection of Small Quantities of Electric Charge, Such as Those Generated in Bio-Molecular Process, Bound in the Vicinity of the Surface

摘要

The device ( 1 ) allows the detection of small quantities of electrical charge (Qs) utilised for recognition of the gybridisation process of a single strand of DNA. It comprises a chip ( 2 ) in which is integrated an MOS device having a floating gate ( 7 ) a first portion ( 7 a) of which extends in facing relation to a recess ( 8 ) formed in a surface of the chip ( 2 ) and accessible from outside the chip ( 2 ) and operable to retain an electrical charge (Qs) to be measured bound to it. A second portion ( 7 b) of the gate ( 7 ) of the MOS device is coupled to a control electrode, ( 10 ) of the chip ( 2 ) by means of a capacitor ( 12 ) of predetermined value within the chip ( 2 ).