Chiral Polymer Hexatics: A New Twist on DNA

M. J. Linehan
Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 065502 – Published 25 January 2002
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Abstract

Theories of the “ N+6” hexagonally ordered phase of DNA are generally based on treatments of hexatic order in smectic systems. Thus N+6 phases should be analogous to superconductors and should expel twist of the nematic director, in an analogy of the Meissner effect. However, in N+6 systems there is no smectic order, hence a radically different mathematical description is required. Here I present the appropriate theory and show that, as N+6 phases are not analogous to superconductors, they can exhibit twist in any direction, without forming any topological defects.

  • Received 27 August 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.065502

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. J. Linehan*

  • School of Physics, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom

  • *Electronic address: M.Linehan@exeter.ac.uk

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Vol. 88, Iss. 6 — 11 February 2002

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