Proximity-induced superconductivity in DNA

Science. 2001 Jan 12;291(5502):280-2. doi: 10.1126/science.291.5502.280.

Abstract

Conductivity measurements on double-stranded DNA molecules deposited by a combing process across a submicron slit between rhenium/carbon metallic contacts reveal conduction to be ohmic between room temperature and 1 kelvin. The resistance per molecule is less than 100 kilohm and varies weakly with temperature. Below the superconducting transition temperature (1 kelvin) of the contacts, proximity-induced superconductivity is observed. These results imply that DNA molecules can be conducting down to millikelvin temperature and that phase coherence is maintained over several hundred nanometers.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electric Impedance
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Temperature

Substances

  • DNA