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Distinguishing Individual DNA Bases in a Network by Non‐Resonant Tip‐Enhanced Raman Scattering
Author(s) -
Zhang Rui,
Zhang Xianbiao,
Wang Huifang,
Zhang Yao,
Jiang Song,
Hu Chunrui,
Zhang Yang,
Luo Yi,
Dong Zhenchao
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201702263
Subject(s) - raman scattering , raman spectroscopy , dna , thymine , resolution (logic) , scanning tunneling microscope , quantum tunnelling , molecule , biomolecule , chemistry , nanotechnology , materials science , optics , optoelectronics , physics , computer science , biochemistry , organic chemistry , artificial intelligence
The importance of identifying DNA bases at the single‐molecule level is well recognized for many biological applications. Although such identification can be achieved by electrical measurements using special setups, it is still not possible to identify single bases in real space by optical means owing to the diffraction limit. Herein, we demonstrate the outstanding ability of scanning tunneling microscope (STM)‐controlled non‐resonant tip‐enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) to unambiguously distinguish two individual complementary DNA bases (adenine and thymine) with a spatial resolution down to 0.9 nm. The distinct Raman fingerprints identified for the two molecules allow to differentiate in real space individual DNA bases in coupled base pairs. The demonstrated ability of non‐resonant Raman scattering with super‐high spatial resolution will significantly extend the applicability of TERS, opening up new routes for single‐molecule DNA sequencing.