Ultrathin Ga₂In₂O₃–Ag plasmonic composite membranes for dual-mode photonic and spectroscopic detection of the biomolecules

Abstract

Solid-state nanopores have emerged as powerful tools for label-free analysis of DNA and proteins. However, specificity remains a challenge. Traditional pores rely on ionic current blockades, which often lack the resolution to distinguish between molecules of similar sizes. Furthermore, the high translocation speeds of biomolecules frequently exceed the temporal resolution of standard amplifiers. In this study, we introduce a dual-mode sensing architecture based on a Ga2In2O3-Ag composite. The platform leverages the semiconducting properties of the Ga2O3 matrix to act as an FET-based transducer, while the embedded Ag nanodomains provide plasmonic hotspots for SERS and light-induced translocation control. This synergy allows for the simultaneous recording of electronic, ionic, and spectroscopic signals, providing a multidimensional "fingerprint" of the translocating molecule.