Role of small ion dynamics in driven translocation of polyelectrolytes through nanopores

Nanopores have been proposed to be used for a variety of applications such as in DNA sequencing and as molecular separation devices. In the present study, we focus on the dynamics of small ions (counterions and salt ions) while a charged polymer translocates through a finite-length nanopore under the action of an externally applied electric field. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the translocation process, taking both the long-range hydrodynamics and the long-range electrostatics into consideration. We address the role of small ion dynamics on the properties of a DNA in a confined region.