Efimov effect of triple-stranded DNA: Real-space renormalization group and Zeros of the partition function

TL;DR

This paper investigates the melting behavior of three-stranded DNA using real-space renormalization group methods, revealing an Efimov-like bound state at the critical melting point, supported by partition function zeros analysis.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of Efimov-like three-chain bound states in DNA and demonstrates their occurrence even with repulsive interactions, using analytical and zero distribution methods.

Findings

Efimov DNA appears at the critical melting point of two-chain DNA.

Efimov DNA can occur with repulsive three-monomer interactions.

A continuous transition to Efimov DNA is observed in higher dimensions.

Abstract

We study the melting of three-stranded DNA by using the real-space renormalization group and exact recursion relations. The prediction of an unusual Efimov-analog three-chain bound state, that appears at the critical melting of two-chain DNA, is corroborated by the zeros of the partition function. The distribution of the zeros has been studied in detail for various situations. We show that the Efimov DNA can occur even if the three-chain (i. e., three-monomer) interaction is repulsive in nature. In higher dimensions, a striking result that emerged in this repulsive zone is a continuous transition from the critical state to the Efimov DNA.