Abstract
Theories of the “ ” hexagonally ordered phase of DNA are generally based on treatments of hexatic order in smectic systems. Thus phases should be analogous to superconductors and should expel twist of the nematic director, in an analogy of the Meissner effect. However, in systems there is no smectic order, hence a radically different mathematical description is required. Here I present the appropriate theory and show that, as 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