Phenomenological model and experimental study of DNA absorption spectra in THz range

The dielectric permittivity tensor is analyzed qualitatively for the DNA nematic liquid crystal in the THz frequency range. The analysis is performed within the self-consistent phonon approximation based on the PBD model. It is found that DNA depolarization and absorption spectra depend on such parameters as molecular length and helix period. Specifically it is shown that a localization of the absorption lines in the frequency range is determined by the DNA helix structure whereas the DNA length is responsible for a separation between the absorption lines. It is also shown that the gyrotropic properties of the considered liquid crystal depend on a relation between the molecular length and its helix period. The molecules with even number of half helix periods demonstrate the strongest gyrotrophy whereas the molecules with odd number of half helix periods have the weakest gyrotrophy. The model is used to suggest the experimental methodology for determining the DNA length and helix structure based on measurements of the depolarization and absorption spectra in aqueous solutions of biopolimers. Methods of applied THz spectroscopy for determination of the conformational state of molecules in solution is announced. Some preliminary experimental results are presented, including details of measuring the absorption spectra of dry DNA sample and aqueous solutions of biopolimers.