Understanding and optimization of the sensitivity of nanoscale FET-based biosensors

It is commonly believed that small nanowires make more sensitive bioFETs than larger nanowires and planar structures because of the high surface-area-to-volume ratio that is the result of width scaling. We believe this justification is incorrect because it ignores the effect of varying radius of curvature on Debye screening. We suggest an alternative explanation for the enhancements seen in nanowire bioFETs. Our results suggest that properly engineered large-scale structures can achieve sensitivities on par with nanowires.