Efimov like phase of a three stranded DNA (Efimov-DNA) and the renormalization group limit cycle

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a three-stranded DNA system exhibits an Efimov-like phase characterized by a limit cycle behavior in the renormalization group flow, with thermal bubbles playing a crucial role.

Contribution

It introduces a non-perturbative renormalization group analysis of Efimov-DNA, revealing a limit cycle behavior and the importance of thermal bubbles in this phenomenon.

Findings

Efimov-DNA exhibits a limit cycle in RG flow.

Thermally generated bubbles are essential for the Efimov effect.

Toy model confirms the limit cycle in extended parameter space.

Abstract

A three-stranded DNA with short range base pairings only is known to exhibit a classical analog of the quantum Efimov effect, viz., a three chain bound state at the two chain melting point where no two are bound. By using a non-perturbative renormalization group method for a rigid duplex DNA and a flexible third strand, with base pairings and strand exchange, we show that the Efimov-DNA is associated with a limit cycle type behavior of the flow of an effective three chain interaction. The analysis also shows that thermally generated bubbles play an essential role in producing the effect. A toy model for the flow equations shows the limit cycle in an extended three dimensional parameter space of the two-chain coupling and a complex three chain interaction.