Patent ID: 8437001

Claim:
A device comprising: a substrate; a layer present on the substrate; a nanostructure penetrating the layer and defining a nanoscale passageway through which a molecule to be analyzed passes, wherein the nanostructure has, in cross-sectional view, a substantially triangular shape; a source of electromagnetic radiation configured to impinge radiation on the nanostructure from a first side; means for translocating molecules through the nanostructure; and a detection unit configured to detect electromagnetic radiation that exits from the nanostructure away from a second side opposite to the first side, wherein transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the nanostructure is at least by excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in the nanostructure; wherein the substrate comprises a through-hole in alignment with the nanostructure; and wherein the layer is an epitaxial layer provided with crystal facets facing the nanostructure.