Charge transfer mechanisms in DNA at finite temperatures: From quasiballistic to anomalous subdiffusive charge transfer

We address various regimes of charge transfer in DNA within the framework of the Peyrard-Bishop-Holstein model and analyze them from the standpoint of the characteristic size and timescales of the electronic and vibrational subsystems. It is demonstrated that a polaron is an unstable configuration within a broad range of temperatures and therefore polaronic contribution to the charge transport is irrelevant. We put forward an alternative fluctuation-governed charge transfer mechanism and show that the charge transfer can be quasi -ballistic at low temperatures, diffusive or mixed at intermediate temperatures, and subdiffusive close to the DNA denaturation transition point. Dynamic fluctuations in the vibrational subsystem is the key ingredient of our proposed mechanism which allows for explanation of all charge transfer regimes at finite temperatures. In particular, we demonstrate that in the most relevant regime of high temperatures (above the aqueous environment freezing point), the electron dynamics is completely governed by relatively slow fluctuations of the mechanical subsystem. We argue also that our proposed analysis methods and mechanisms can be relevant for the charge transfer in other organic systems, such as conjugated polymers, molecular aggregates, alpha-helices, etc.

Automated summary

This study investigates various regimes of charge transfer in DNA using the Peyrard-Bishop-Holstein model. It finds that the polaronic contribution to charge transport is irrelevant due to the instability of the polaron. An alternative fluctuation-governed charge transfer mechanism is proposed, which explains the different charge transfer regimes at different temperatures. Dynamic fluctuations in the vibrational subsystem play a key role in this mechanism.