A solid state nanopore device including two or more materials and a method
for fabricating the same. The device includes a solid state insulating
membrane having an exposed surface, a conductive material disposed on at
least a portion of the exposed surface of the solid state membrane, and a
nanopore penetrating an area of the conductive material and at least a
portion of the solid state membrane. During fabrication a conductive
material is applied on a portion of a solid state membrane surface, and a
nanopore of a first diameter is formed. When the surface is exposed to an
ion beam, material from the membrane and conductive material flows to
reduce the diameter of the nanopore. A method for evaluating a polymer
molecule using the solid state nanopore device is also described. The
device is contacted with the polymer molecule and the molecule is passed
through the nanopore, allowing each monomer of the polymer molecule to be
monitored.