Charge Transport in DNA with Structure of Quantum Wells and Potential Barriers

Abstract

Based on Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, an excess charge in DNA chain couples with lattices' distortion and appears in the form of a polaron. The four kinds of nucleotides of DNA with different on-site energy can be viewed a similar structure with quantum wells and potential barriers. Their width and depth effect on polaron motion along DNA chain will be discussed. Our calculations indicate that a polaron can go through one quantum well and more than one potential barrier under a suitable electric field. The details about charge transport are also depicted when it comes into contact with quantum wells or potential barriers in this paper.