APPARATUS FPR ANALYSING A MOLECULE

An apparatus for analysing a molecule comprising:*a substrate;*at least one nanopore provided in the substrate;*first and second reservoirs separated by the substrate for respectively providing and receiving the molecule;*a controller to induce the molecule to move by from the first reservoir to the second reservoir via the nanopore;*at least one nanostructure arranged in the nanopore and/or around the nanopore on one side of the substrate for producing a localised electromagnetic field by plasmon resonance;*at least one coating provided in the substrate and/or on one side of the substrate for cooling the substrate and/or reflecting electromagnetic radiation incident thereon;;*a source of electromagnetic radiation arranged on the side of the substrate bearing the nanostructure(s) to induce plasmon resonance in each nanostructure and*a detector to detect signals produced by interaction of the electromagnetic field with the molecule as it passes through the nanopore. The apparatus is especially suitable for analysing biomolecules such as nucleic acids or proteins by Raman spectroscopy.