Controlling the Shape of a Double DNA-Like Helix as an Element of Metamaterials

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors theoretically calculated and simulated the forces that can cause a change in the shape of a DNA-like double helix in its various regions in the presence of an electromagnetic wave. Examined nonlinear effects are considered for both actual DNA molecules and double DNA-like helices that can serve as components of metamaterials and metasurfaces.

While the potential use of DNA as a scaffold for nanoparticles is intriguing, unfortunately the results presented in the article are very fragmentary and incomplete. From the point of view of the use of DNA in the construction of metamaterials, the key role is played by the forces of interaction between the plasmonic nanoparticles embedded therein. I suggest the authors to supplement the manuscript with results presenting the control of metamaterial resonance based on a hybrid metamaterial built on the basis of metamolecules embedded in the DNA chain. In its current form, the value of the manuscript does not allow for publication because the authors present only modest simulations of the DNA chains themselves.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

Answer to Reviewer 1

While the potential use of DNA as a scaffold for nanoparticles is intriguing, unfortunately the results presented in the article are very fragmentary and incomplete. From the point of view of the use of DNA in the construction of metamaterials, the key role is played by the forces of interaction between the plasmonic nanoparticles embedded therein. I suggest the authors to supplement the manuscript with results presenting the control of metamaterial resonance based on a hybrid metamaterial built on the basis of metamolecules embedded in the DNA chain. In its current form, the value of the manuscript does not allow for publication because the authors present only modest simulations of the DNA chains themselves.

The reviewer's remarks have been carefully considered. This comment greatly broadened the scope of the referenced works of scientific literature. The list of references has been updated to include relevant papers about plasmonic metamaterials. The text containing the citations to these articles has been added to the revised manuscript on page 3 and is highlighted in red. At the same time, it is worth noting that the hybrid metamaterial based on DNA-like helices with embedded metamolecules, suggested by the reviewer for consideration, is a rather complex structure. As far as we know, there has been no investigation into the forces of interaction between inclusions in a metamaterial of this nature. Studying the forces of interaction between elements of hybrid metamaterial is a novel scientific challenge, and we appreciate the reviewer for clearly defining it. We believe that the interaction forces between the helical strands alone, without embedded metamolecules, are also of relevance as a "background" against which other resonant effects, including plasmonic effects, can be observed.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper titled “Controlling the shape of a double DNA-like helix as an element of metamaterials” investigates the behavior of a double DNA-like helix under microwave electromagnetic waves at half-wave resonance. The helix, with twenty-and-a-half turns, exhibits mutual repulsion, stretching, and twisting of strands due to electromagnetic forces. These findings have potential applications in metamaterials and metasurfaces, and they also relate to actual DNA molecules. In my opinion, this work falls within the scope of the Photonics and should be published with some modifications. The following are several suggestions and explanations that must be addressed before publication.

 

1.     It is suggested to make the abstract more concise, emphasizing the main findings and their significance. This will help readers quickly grasp the core contributions of the research.

2.     It is recommended that the authors add a detailed background on the electromagnetic properties of DNA in the introduction to help readers understand the importance and innovation of this research.

3.     In Figure 2(c), where the resonant frequency shows a minor shift towards the higher frequency region, it would be beneficial to annotate this shift directly in the figure for clarity.

4.     The description related to Figure 3 mentions that “Upon activation of the specified mode of natural current oscillations, the electric charge density in the region under consideration, at the edges of the helix, reaches its maximal value.” It is advised to provide a comparative analysis to highlight this phenomenon more clearly.

5.     It is suggested that the authors provide more detailed explanations for each figure, including additional annotations such as legends, to improve the clarity and comprehensiveness of the figure descriptions.

6.     It is recommended that the author include in the introduction literatures which are highly relevant to the metamaterial and metasurface class. The content of the literature is closely related to the topic of this paper, and it can provide readers with more comprehensive background knowledge and understanding: [1-3]

[1]        Q. Ma et al., "Directly wireless communication of human minds via non-invasive brain-computer-metasurface platform," eLight, vol. 2, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.1186/s43593-022-00019-x.

[2]        L. Chen, Q. Ma, S. S. Luo, F. J. Ye, H. Y. Cui, and T. J. Cui, "Touch-Programmable Metasurface for Various Electromagnetic Manipulations and Encryptions," Small, p. e2203871, Sep 15 2022, doi: 10.1002/smll.202203871.

[3]        X. Gao et al., "Programmable surface plasmonic neural networks for microwave detection and processing," Nature Electronics, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 319-328, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41928-023-00951-x.

 

 

Author Response

Answers to Reviewer 2

1. It is suggested to make the abstract more concise, emphasizing the main findings and their significance. This will help readers quickly grasp the core contributions of the research.

We fully agree with the reviewer's comment. The abstract has been condensed, and the aim of the study is now more clearly outlined. The required changes are highlighted in blue.

2. It is recommended that the authors add a detailed background on the electromagnetic properties of DNA in the introduction to help readers understand the importance and innovation of this research.

We express our gratitude to the reviewer for the insightful feedback. An informative section highlighting the importance of the electromagnetic properties of DNA has been included in the introduction on page 2 of the article. Nevertheless, this topic is highly extensive, and the in-depth information is not given in this article, due to space limitations. Additionally, the introduction highlights the main articles pertaining to this topic, enabling readers to acquire a thorough understanding of the electromagnetic properties of DNA.

3. In Figure 2(c), where the resonant frequency shows a minor shift towards the higher frequency region, it would be beneficial to annotate this shift directly in the figure for clarity.

We appreciate the reviewer's suggestions to improve Figure 2 (c). This figure now shows two frequencies derived from theoretical calculations and modelling.

4. The description related to Figure 3 mentions that “Upon activation of the specified mode of natural current oscillations, the electric charge density in the region under consideration, at the edges of the helix, reaches its maximal value.” It is advised to provide a comparative analysis to highlight this phenomenon more clearly.

      We have considered the reviewer's reasonable comments in the article. The required text has been included on page 7 of the revised manuscript, as well as in the caption to Figure 3, elucidating the dipole distribution of charges in helices in this particular scenario, which has been validated through modelling.

5. It is suggested that the authors provide more detailed explanations for each figure, including additional annotations such as legends, to improve the clarity and comprehensiveness of the figure descriptions.

      We have implemented the suggestion made by the reviewer. Each figure is accompanied with additional explanatory captions.    

6. It is recommended that the author include in the introduction literatures which are highly relevant to the metamaterial and metasurface class. The content of the literature is closely related to the topic of this paper, and it can provide readers with more comprehensive background knowledge and understanding: [1-3]

[1]       Q. Ma et al., "Directly wireless communication of human minds via non-invasive brain-computer-metasurface platform," eLight, vol. 2, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.1186/s43593-022-00019-x.

[2]       L. Chen, Q. Ma, S. S. Luo, F. J. Ye, H. Y. Cui, and T. J. Cui, "Touch-Programmable Metasurface for Various Electromagnetic Manipulations and Encryptions," Small, p. e2203871, Sep 15 2022, doi: 10.1002/smll.202203871.

[3]       X. Gao et al., "Programmable surface plasmonic neural networks for microwave detection and processing," Nature Electronics, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 319-328, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41928-023-00951-x.

            The reviewer’s provision of the links to contemporary publications on metasurfaces is greatly appreciated. These papers serve as a complement to the list of references. Citations to these papers have been included in the introduction.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors very carefully responded  to my comments and suggestions. I believe the manuscript can be published in its current form.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have addressed all my questions. I agree the publication.