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Nonlinear electric properties of DNA solutions
Author(s) -
Marion C.,
Bernengo J. C.,
Hanss M.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
biopolymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1097-0282
pISSN - 0006-3525
DOI - 10.1002/bip.1976.360150213
Subject(s) - electric field , chemistry , harmonic , nonlinear system , intensity (physics) , current (fluid) , deformation (meteorology) , chemical physics , dna , molecule , field (mathematics) , molecular physics , thermodynamics , optics , composite material , physics , materials science , quantum mechanics , organic chemistry , biochemistry , mathematics , pure mathematics
DNA solutions are shown to present a nonlinear electric behavior. This property is measured through the third harmonic current intensity, which appears when the solution is placed in a sinusoidal electric field of moderately high strength (about 100 V·cm −1 ). The influence of different parameters has been examined: fundamental frequency, field strength, concentration, molecular weight, and conformation. By progressive sonication, it is shown that the harmonic current is linearly proportional to the DNA molecular weight, but under an M r of approximately 10 6 , the nonlinear electrical property decreases sharply and its spectrum shows a drastic change. It is thought that the harmonic current is not related to an orientational phenomenon; an explanation based on the electrical deformation of the molecule is suggested.