Open AccessBrownian motion in a harmonic trap: magnetic tweezers experiment and its simulation
Author(s) -
Shi-Yong Ran
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
wuli xuebao
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 47
ISSN - 1000-3290
DOI - 10.7498/aps.61.170503
Subject(s) - brownian motion , trap (plumbing) , brownian dynamics , harmonic , physics , magnetic tweezers , displacement (psychology) , optical tweezers , micromagnetics , classical mechanics , mechanics , statistical physics , magnetic field , optics , magnetization , acoustics , quantum mechanics , psychology , meteorology , psychotherapist
The Brownian motion in a harmonic trap is studied by magnetic tweezers experiment and computer simulation. The results of the experiment and simulation validate the theory. Then the theory is used to analyze the experimental results including the effect of persistent length of DNA on the displacement distribution of the bead and the error in force measurements. It can be concluded that the variation of the persistent length affects more the Brownian motion along the DNA chain than in the other direction; under a small force, a considerable error of the force measurement will occur.