Super Coupling Dual-gate Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistors

For more than four decades, ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) sensors that respond to the change of surface potential on a membrane have been intensively investigated in the chemical, environmental, and biological spheres, because of their potential, in particular their compatibility with CMOS manufacturing technology. Here, we demonstrate a new type of ISFET with dual-gate (DG) structure fabricated on ultra-thin body (UTB), which highly boosts sensitivity, as well as enhancing chemical stability. The classic ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) has been confronted with chronic problems; the Nernstian response, and detection limit with in the Debye length. The super-coupling effects imposed on the ultra thin film serve to not only maximize sensitivity of the DG ISFET, but also to strongly suppress its leakage currents, leading to a better chemical stability. This geometry will allow the ISFET based biosensor platform to continue enhancement into the next decade.