Abstract.
We perform Monte Carlo simulations of an existing electrophoretic microchannel device used for the size separation of large DNA fragments. This device is normally operated with a constant (dc) driving field. In contrast, we consider the case of a varying (ac) driving field, in the zero-frequency limit. We find that a time-asymmetric pulse can yield interesting migration regimes, in particular bidirectional transport for different molecular sizes. We also study a spatially asymmetric version of the device and show that it can rectify unbiased but non-equilibrium molecular motion, in agreement with previous predictions for entropic ratchets. Finally, at finite frequency we uncover a resonance for the molecular velocity in the channel which could lead to improved performance.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 16 November 2001 / Accepted: 11 February 2002 / Published online: 22 April 2002
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tessier, F., Slater, G. Strategies for the separation of polyelectrolytes based on non-linear dynamics and entropic ratchets in a simple microfluidic device . Appl Phys A 75, 285–291 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390201337
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390201337