  We present a theoretical model accounting for the anomalous Fabry-Perot
pattern observed in the ballistic conductance of a single-wall carbon
nanotubes. Using the scattering field theory, it is shown that the presence of
a limited number of impurities along the nanotube can be identified by a
measurement of the conductance and their position determined. Impurities can be
made active or silent depending on the interaction with the substrate via the
back-gate. The conceptual steps for designing a bio-molecules detector are
briefly discussed.
