Phonon Interpretation of Inelastic Neutron Scattering in DNA Crystals

摘要

The calculated spectrum of longitudinal compressional waves on DNA polymer chains is shown to be in excellent agreement with recently performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements in hydrated, oriented DNA crystals. This opens up a previously unexplored frequency regime of DNA science and establishes the validity of the phonon, extended wave description of DNA elementary excitations in this region.