In recent experimental work, the detection of biomolecules in aqueous solution was demonstrated using nanowire field-effect sensors. The experiments were not accompanied by theoretical work, however. In this talk we give an overview of the models and simulation tools we have developed for the theoretical understanding of field-effect sensors. We have solved the multiscale problem inherent in the boundary layers of nanowire sensors by homogenization and we use the resulting interface conditions in self-consistent charge-transport simulations. We have also simulated fluctuations due to Brownian motion which enables us to quantify noise and the detection limit of the sensors. Very good agreement is found in the comparison with experimental values. (This is joint work with Christian Ringhofer (Arizona State University) and Robert W. Dutton and Yang Liu (Stanford
University).)
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