Simulation of Silicon Nanowire Bio-sensors

To summarize the results, we find that (a) the sensitivity of a NW-sensor depends on device parameters in unexpected ways, (b) sensitivity is greatly affected by the presence of water, and (c) for bio-molecule detection, for maximum sensitivity, the pH should be so chosen that the NW is in depletion. Our simulation results demonstrates, for the first time, that it is possible to interpret the conductance modulation of nano-bio sensors in terms of specific molecule conjugations and to systematically optimize sensor response as a function of sensor geometry and fluidic conditions.