Electrons on the double helix: optical experiments on native DNA

TL;DR

This paper investigates the optical properties of native calf thymus DNA films under various buffer conditions, revealing that their optical conductivity resembles that of a disordered semiconductor with localized electron states.

Contribution

It provides new experimental insights into the optical conductivity and electronic states of native DNA, highlighting its semiconductor-like behavior with localized electrons.

Findings

DNA exhibits semiconductor-like optical conductivity

Charge excitations have a well-defined band-gap

Transport is dominated by localized electron states

Abstract

Optical experiments on calf thymus DNA films subjected to different buffer environments are reported. The optical conductivity is that of a disordered or lightly doped semiconductor with a well-defined band-gap for charge excitations and low frequency transport determined by a small number of strongly localized electron states.