Attosecond Electron Delocalization in the Conduction Band through the Phosphate Backbone of Genomic DNA

Journal Article · Fri Nov 30 00:00:00 EST 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.99.228102· OSTI ID:21024521

Ikeura-Sekiguchi, Hiromi ^[1]; Sekiguchi, Tetsuhiro ^[2]

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1. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2-5, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan)
2. Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki 319-1195 (Japan)

Partial density of states in the empty conduction band of the phosphate backbone sites in DNA was probed using energy-dependent resonant Auger spectroscopy. Results show that genomic DNA with periodic backbones exhibits an extended state despite separation of each phosphate group by an insulating sugar group. In antisense DNA with an aperiodic backbone, the equivalent state is localized. Remarkably rapid electron delocalization occurs at ca. 740 attoseconds for wet DNA, as estimated using the core-hole clock method. Such delocalization is comparable to the Fermi velocity of carbon nanotubes.

• OSTI ID: 21024521
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 99, Issue 22; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.228102; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBON
DNA
ELECTRONS
ENERGY DEPENDENCE
NANOTUBES
PERIODICITY
PHOSPHATES
SACCHAROSE
SPECTROSCOPY