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

Abstract

The aim of the article is to study the forces arising in a conductive DNA-like double helix in the field of a microwave electromagnetic wave. These forces must be considered for both actual DNA molecules and double DNA-like helices that serve as components of metamaterials and metasurfaces. The helix comprises twenty-and-a-half turns and has geometric parameters proportional to the size of an actual DNA molecule. The forces acting on the strands of a double helix, both in the central region and at the edges of the helix, are investigated. It has been demonstrated that the aforementioned forces induce a change in the shape of the helix, specifically the mutual repulsion of the strands, as well as their stretching and twisting in the field of electromagnetic waves. Consequently, exposure to an electromagnetic wave under half-wave resonance can damage the double helix. Conversely, the impact of electromagnetic waves has the potential to introduce novel avenues for controlling the shape of the double helix.

1. Introduction

This research aims to theoretically calculate and simulate 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. Whether disruptive forces are possible under conditions of half-wave resonance in an external electromagnetic field is the subject of discussion. The inquiry also concerns the specific regions within the double helix where these forces might exert their impact, as well as the timing of their emergence. And, for this purpose, the forces acting between the strands of a double helix in the center of the helix, as well as at its edges, are considered.

These issues are relevant, first of all, for the helical elements of metamaterials and metasurfaces. The prospects of using double DNA-like helices as elements of metamaterials are due to several factors. Firstly, such helical elements make it possible to create metamaterials with both dielectric and magnetic properties. Secondly, the symmetry of the distribution of electric currents and charges in a double helix has a higher order compared to a similar distribution in a single helix. Thirdly, double DNA-like helices exhibit special electromagnetic properties, consisting in the equal importance of their electric dipole moment and magnetic moment. This interconnectedness of moments occurs with any electric current, for example, with conduction currents in metal helices and with polarization currents in dielectric helices. At the same time, it is important that both dielectric and magnetic moments be created within the same helical element; therefore, there is no need to use both straight conductors and ring conductors, which pose challenges in achieving mutual compatibility. These promising properties are manifested in double DNA-like helices, even if their geometric dimensions are changed proportionally compared to real DNA. In other words, the helices can be scaled while maintaining the pitch angle. This allows one to achieve the resonant excitation of the helices in the required wavelength range of the electromagnetic field. The DNA molecule is significant not only as an object and a means of storing genetic information, as demonstrated by scientific research. Our objective is to highlight the unique and exceptional properties exhibited by double DNA-like helices in external electromagnetic fields [1,2].

Last but not least, the issues of changing the shape or maintaining stability in external electromagnetic fields are also relevant for real DNA. In this paper, a twenty-and-a-half-turn double DNA-like helix is simulated in the electromagnetic field of an incident electromagnetic wave. The selection of the number of turns, namely the length of the helix under study, is influenced by two factors.

First, empirical evidence indicates that the DNA molecule exhibits an absorption band within the UV range near the wavelength λ_res = 280 nm [3,4,5]. Such absorption can excite a significant polarization current in the helices since the absorbing centers (atoms and molecules) are in periodic arrangement along the full length of the two helical strands. Through the process of wave interaction, the atoms and molecules that possess the ability to absorb light are capable of generating a specific effective current along the entire helix. Resonance is possible for the electric current in the helix and, consequently, for the forces acting on the helix in the field of an incident wave when the length of the straightened conductor is equal to an integer number of half-waves, i.e., $L=n{\displaystyle \frac{{\lambda }_{res}}{2}}$ for integer values of n. When n = 1, “main” or half-wave resonance is feasible. Here, the length of the helix can be expressed as $L=N_{t}P$, where $N_t$ is the number of turns of the helix and P represents the length of one complete turn. Since the length of a single turn of the DNA helix is P = 7.14 nm [6,7], segments of the DNA molecule that encompass $N_t={\displaystyle \frac{{\lambda }_{res}}{2P}}$, i.e., roughly 20 turns, can meet the requirement for half-wave resonance and experience activation when exposed to an electromagnetic wave. Segments of this particular length are advantageous for the purpose of direct sequencing and subsequent use in experimental and practical applications.

Secondly, there is a particular focus on DNA segments that comprise around 20 turns due to their potential as nanoconductors, facilitating the flow of low-frequency electric current [8]. When analyzing the forces acting between the strands of a double helix, it is necessary to take into consideration the electromagnetic properties of DNA, primarily the electrical conductivity of the strands. The topic of the electrical conductivity of DNA is very extensive; the electrically conductive properties of the molecule have always been and remain the subject of separate studies. Later in this introduction, we will mention some significant research in this field. It is important to emphasize that a definitive conclusion regarding the electrical conductivity of the DNA molecule has not yet been reached. This is due to the fact that the molecule demonstrates vastly different conductive properties under various conditions, such as those of an insulator, a conductor and a semiconductor [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28]. However, direct measurements of the electric current along a fragment of the DNA molecule [8] revealed that the electric current along the nucleotide sequence decays rather slowly. Therefore, the activation of the electric current by an electromagnetic wave is possible in a DNA segment with approximately 20 turns at half-wave resonance.

This study examines the linear state of the DNA molecule, which coexists with the supercoiled and relaxed states [29]. Publications [30,31,32] have considered several potential mechanisms for the transition of a DNA molecule between these states, encompassing transitions facilitated by electrons or intense infrared radiation. Transitions of this nature can arise due to ruptures in either or both strands that constitute the double-helical structure of the DNA molecule.

Our task is to study the forces that can arise in the field of an electromagnetic wave when it is resonant. Such forces can lead to a change in the shape of the double helix, as well as the previously studied effect of electrons and intense infrared radiation [30,31,32].

Various fields, such as direct wireless communication on the brain–computer–metasurface platform [33], are increasingly using metamaterials and metasurfaces. Touch-programmable metasurfaces are being designed for various electromagnetic manipulations and encryption [34]; programmable surface plasmon neural networks for microwave detection and processing are also being created [35]. In this regard, it is relevant to search and study new elements of metasurfaces, including DNA-like helices.

Plasmonic metamaterials also represent a new area of study [36]. Molecular plasmonics, a field that studies the interactions between surface plasmons and molecules, has generated significant interest in fundamental research and has been applied in many technological advancements. The use of molecules in combination with designer metamaterials opens up wide possibilities both for the active tailoring of metamaterials through molecular interactions, and, in turn, for the use of metamaterials to control molecular processes [36]. The creation of metamaterials from biological sources such as carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids is an inexpensive alternative that provides high quantities and yields [37]. Progress has been made in the field of active metamaterials using resonances in plasmonic and dielectric materials hybridized with assemblies of soft materials, including liquid crystals, colloids, polymers and granular matter [38]. Soft metamaterials can be configured using optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical influences, which provides new optical properties and functionality, including giant chirality and dichroism [39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46]. Significant advances have been made in the field of DNA origami, in the creation of two-dimensional models and three-dimensional assembly based on DNA origami, which find applications in nanotechnology, biosensorics, drug delivery and data storage in computing systems [47]. In all of these metamaterials, their complex structure allows for a variety of interactions between elements within a wide frequency range. When using DNA-like helices as elements of metamaterials and metasurfaces, it is necessary to consider the interaction of the strands in the double helix. The interaction forces of helical strands are important in terms of ensuring the equilibrium of double helices as elements of a metamaterial. Information about these forces is also necessary when studying other resonances, for example, plasmon ones, which are possible in combination with half-wave resonance for helical strands.

2. The Theoretical Calculation of Forces in a Double DNA-like Helix in the Field of an Electromagnetic Wave in a Long Wavelength Approximation

The classical laws of Bio–Savard and Ampere can be used to calculate the force acting on the electric current element $\mathrm{I}\mathrm{d}\overrightarrow{\mathrm{l}}$ in the second strand of a pair of helices when considering the quasi-stationary scenario.

A detailed method for calculating these magnetic forces is described in the literature [48].

In Figure 1, the DNA-like helix is schematically represented with its parameters: the helix pitch h, helix radius r, axial shift between helices ${\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{s}}$, as well as induced charges $\mathrm{d}\mathrm{q}$ and ${\mathrm{d}\mathrm{q}}_1$ and induced currents $\mathrm{I}\mathrm{d}\overrightarrow{\mathrm{l}}$ and $\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{d}\overrightarrow{\mathrm{l}}}_1$. The direction of the currents in two helices depends on the way of exciting the double helix. In our case, the currents pass in the same direction relative to the axis of the helix. The charges and the currents are distributed along the helix as they are induced by a harmonic standing wave. The wavelength of the electromagnetic field in vacuum $\mathsf{\lambda }={\displaystyle \frac{2\mathsf{\pi }\mathrm{c}}{\mathsf{\omega }}}$ satisfies the inequality $\mathsf{\lambda }\gg \mathrm{P}$, where $\mathrm{P}=\sqrt{(2\mathsf{\pi }\mathrm{r}{)}^2+{\mathrm{h}}^2}$ is the period of the helix (the entire length of one turn of the helix). A very important characteristic of the helix is its pitch angle $\mathsf{\alpha }$, which satisfies the following ratios: $\tan \mathsf{\alpha }={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{h}}{2\mathsf{\pi }\mathrm{r}}}$, $\sin \mathsf{\alpha }={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{h}}{\mathrm{P}}}$, and $\cos \mathsf{\alpha }={\displaystyle \frac{2\mathsf{\pi }\mathrm{r}}{\mathrm{P}}}$.

Any physically small element of a single-stranded helix is affected by a magnetic force due to the existence of an electric current in this element of the helix. After calculation, we arrive at the following x-, y- and z-components of the magnetic force:

$${{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{x}\left(\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{g}\right)}}_{\mathrm{t}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathsf{\Omega }}{2}}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathsf{\alpha }{(\cot \mathsf{\alpha })}^2{\int }_{-\mathrm{\infty }}^{\mathrm{\infty }}{\displaystyle \frac{\left({\mathrm{u}}_{\mathrm{s}}-\mathrm{u}\right)\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{u}+\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{u}}{{\mathrm{w}}^{3/2}}}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{u}$$

(1)

$${{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{y}\left(\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{g}\right)}}_{\mathrm{t}}=-\tan \mathsf{\alpha }·{{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{x}\left(\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{g}\right)}}_{\mathrm{t}}$$

(2)

$${{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{z}\left(\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{g}\right)}}_{\mathrm{t}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathsf{\Omega }}{2}}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathsf{\alpha }·\cot \mathsf{\alpha }{\int }_{-\mathrm{\infty }}^{\mathrm{\infty }}{\displaystyle \frac{\left(1-{(\cot \mathsf{\alpha })}^2\right)\left(1+\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{u}\right)-\left({\mathrm{u}}_{\mathrm{s}}-\mathrm{u}\right)\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{u}}{{\mathrm{w}}^{3/2}}}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{u}$$

(3)

Here, the index t means time averaging; the integration variable $\mathrm{u}=\mathrm{q}{\mathrm{x}}_1$ is equal to the polar angle for the first helix; ${\mathrm{u}}_{\mathrm{s}}=\mathrm{q}{\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{s}}$; $\mathrm{q}=\pm {\displaystyle \frac{2\mathsf{\pi }}{\mathrm{h}}}$ is the helix specific torsion, which is positive ($\mathrm{q}>0$) for a right-handed helix and negative ($\mathrm{q}<0$) for a left-handed helix; $\mathsf{\Omega }={\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}^2{\displaystyle \frac{{\mathsf{\mu }}_0}{4\mathsf{\pi }\mathrm{r}}}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{l}$ is the general normalization constant for the force components; ${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}$ is the amplitude of the standing wave of the current; there is also notation to reduce the formulas to a more compact form:

$${\mathrm{w}=\left({\mathrm{u}}_{\mathrm{s}}-\mathrm{u}\right)}^2+2{(\cot \mathsf{\alpha })}^2\left(1+\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{u}\right)$$

(4)

In addition to the magnetic force, there is also an electric force acting on the electric charges in the second strand in a pair of helices from the side of the entire first strand in a pair of helices. The force acting on the element of electric charge $\mathrm{d}\mathrm{q}$ in the second helix, under quasi-stationary conditions, can be determined using the classical Coulomb law.

Using the integration technique described in [48], let us calculate all the components of the electric force acting on the charge element in the second helix from the side of the entire first helix. The calculations result in obtaining the x-, y- and z-components of the electric force, averaged over time:

$${{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{x}\left(\mathrm{e}\mathrm{l}\right)}}_{\mathrm{t}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathsf{\Omega }}{2}}{\displaystyle \frac{\cot \mathsf{\alpha }}{\sin \mathsf{\alpha }}}{\int }_{-\mathrm{\infty }}^{\mathrm{\infty }}{\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{u}}_{\mathrm{s}}-\mathrm{u}}{{\mathrm{w}}^{3/2}}}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{u},$$

(5)

$${{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{y}\left(\mathrm{e}\mathrm{l}\right)}}_{\mathrm{t}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathsf{\Omega }}{2}}{\displaystyle \frac{{(\cot \mathsf{\alpha })}^2}{\sin \mathsf{\alpha }}}{\int }_{-\mathrm{\infty }}^{\mathrm{\infty }}{\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{u}}{{\mathrm{w}}^{3/2}}}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{u},$$

(6)

$${{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{z}\left(\mathrm{e}\mathrm{l}\right)}}_{\mathrm{t}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathsf{\Omega }}{2}}{\displaystyle \frac{{(\cot \mathsf{\alpha })}^2}{\sin \mathsf{\alpha }}}{\int }_{-\mathrm{\infty }}^{\mathrm{\infty }}{\displaystyle \frac{1+\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{u}}{{\mathrm{w}}^{3/2}}}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{u}.$$

(7)

When calculating forces (1)–(3) and (5)–(7), integration is performed within infinite limits. However, the formulas for forces can also be applied to a finite helix with a long length. This is due to the property of integrand functions, which decrease rapidly as the variable $\mathrm{u}$ increases due to the presence of the function ${\mathrm{w}}^{3/2}$ in the denominator.

The considered DNA-like helices have a finite length, like the actual DNA molecule. Therefore, a standing wave of electric current is established in each helical strand due to the reflection of waves from the edges of the strands. We assumed that the current strength within two helical strands has a harmonic dependence on the coordinate measured along the helical line. This means that the electric current strength in the first and second helical strands can be characterized by such values as the amplitude of standing waves of current $I_{max}$, wavenumber $k={\displaystyle \frac{\omega }{\mathrm{c}}}$ and cyclic current frequency $\omega$.

We assume that the incident wave is quasimonochromatic, and the excitation time is long enough to excite the resonant mode of the helix. In the case of the resonant excitation of the helix, the total length of the helix L is approximately equal to an integer of half-waves of the electromagnetic field: $k_{n}L=n\pi$, where n is an integer.

In addition to theoretical calculations, it is necessary to simulate the forces acting between the strands in a double helix.

3. The Simulation of Forces at the Edges and in the Center of a Double DNA-like Helix in the Field of a Microwave Electromagnetic Wave

Effective electric currents along DNA helices generate forces, exerted on the DNA strands, that can potentially be used to manipulate the molecule. As stated previously, the conductivity of a DNA molecule is highly dependent on its environmental conditions. Specifically, water coverage can increase the conductivity of the molecule. Furthermore, it is important to note that within a DNA molecule, both a conduction current and polarization current can manifest. The mechanisms and specifics of DNA molecule conduction described in [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28] are outside the scope of this paper. This study represents a step towards investigating the possibility of producing forces in the DNA molecule under the influence of an external electromagnetic field. The wavelength of this field is far greater than the helix turn length and falls within the ultraviolet range. Meanwhile, the length of the entire helix can be close to half a wavelength, meeting the requirements for resonance interaction. The DNA molecule is a macromolecule characterized by a periodic arrangement of atoms, molecules, and other chemical structures. The activation of these molecules and atoms occurs at specific frequencies. Of particular significance are instances where these frequencies, which are resonant for individual molecules and atoms, align with the half-wave resonance of the entire helix section. The question that emerges is whether half-wave resonance can occur in a DNA molecule or its segment as a result of periodically positioned absorption centers.

The forces that arise between the strands of a double DNA-like helix in the field of an electromagnetic wave under half-wave resonance are explored in prior research [48,49]. In contrast to the study conducted in earlier works, which focuses on a symmetric double helix with a second-order symmetry axis, references [48,49] examine a double DNA-like helix, where the strands are displaced relative to each other along their shared axis, similar to the arrangement observed in actual DNA molecules. In doing so, forces of different directions are studied, such as radial, polar, and axial directions, which can lead to a change in the shape of the helix and the rupture of its strands. Studies [50,51] investigate the forces acting between the strands of a double DNA-like helix at a higher frequency resonance when the wavelength of the electromagnetic field is roughly equivalent to the length of the helical turn. While previous studies [30,31,32,48,49,50,51] have focused on examining the impacts on the central regions of the helix that are distant from its edges, this research also explores the forces that emerge between the strands located at the edges of a double DNA-like helix under half-wave resonance.

An actual DNA molecule has nanometer dimensions, such as $\mathrm{r}=1 \mathrm{n}\mathrm{m}$ for the helix radius and $\mathrm{h}=3.4 \mathrm{n}\mathrm{m}$ for the helix pitch [6]. As demonstrated in [48], a crucial attribute of the DNA molecule that must be considered while examining its electromagnetic properties is the helix pitch angle $\mathsf{\alpha }$. This angle refers to the inclination created by the tangent to the helix line and the plane that is orthogonal to the helix axis. The calculation of this angle is derived from the experimental data presented in [6]. It is determined to be $\mathsf{\alpha }={\tan }^{-1}\left({\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{h}}{2\mathsf{\pi }\mathrm{r}}}\right)=28.4 \mathrm{deg}$. In the course of the simulation, we investigate the properties of a metallic DNA-like helix as a highly efficient conductor within the microwave range, while ensuring the pitch angle remains constant. We believe that the findings of this study have the potential for qualitative application to an actual DNA molecule inside the UV range. This approach is justified for the reasons listed below. Firstly, electrodynamic similarity is a fundamental concept that enables the scaling of objects and structures, facilitating the prediction of their electromagnetic properties throughout distinct frequency ranges. Secondly, an actual DNA molecule exhibits various conductive characteristics, functioning as a dielectric, conductor, or semiconductor depending on external conditions. Therefore, the DNA-like helix model as an ideal conductor, which is used in this paper, can provide a foundation for subsequent, more comprehensive studies and comparison with experimental data. Thus, the electromagnetic properties of the double DNA-like helix will be simulated while maintaining the pitch angle $\mathsf{\alpha }$, and simultaneously adjusting its geometric parameters and the wavelength of the electromagnetic field in proportion.

So, let us consider a double DNA-like helix with parameters proportional to the size of a real DNA molecule in the presence of an incident external microwave-range wave. Force modeling is performed using the Ansys HFSS 3D electromagnetic simulation software. We assume that the double helix possesses conductive properties and consider it as an ideal conductor. The pitch angle of the helix is equal to $\mathsf{\alpha }=28.4 \mathrm{deg}$. The helix radius is $\mathrm{r}=1 \mathrm{m}\mathrm{m}$ and the radius of the conductor cross-section is ${\mathrm{r}}_0=0.1 \mathrm{m}\mathrm{m}$. In reality, DNA strands can contain hundreds of turns, but in this instance, we will consider a segment with twenty and a half turns. This helix has a length of $\mathrm{L}=146.4 \mathrm{m}\mathrm{m}$ and satisfies the half-wave resonance condition for a wave with a frequency of ${\mathsf{\nu }}_{\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}}=$ 1.02 GHz. Suppose that the double helix is excited by a linearly polarized wave, wherein the electric field vector undergoes oscillations parallel to the helix axis and the wave vector is directed perpendicular to the helix axis, as depicted in Figure 2a. Similar to an actual DNA helix, the strands exhibit a mutual displacement along their common axis, denoted as ${\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{c}}={\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}\mathrm{r}$ [7]. Figure 2b depicts the vector diagram of the forces operating on two strands of the DNA-like helix in its central region under half-wave resonance. Within this particular region of the double helix, the electric current strength in the two strands has the maximal value, with the currents in the two strands running in the same direction relative to the axis of the helix. Figure 2c illustrates the relationship between the Z-components of the forces, namely the radial components of the forces, and the wave frequency in the vicinity of resonance. As follows from the simulation results, the resonant frequency exhibits a minor shift towards the higher frequency region in comparison to the theoretically calculated value of ${\mathsf{\nu }}_{\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}}=$1.02 GHz.

Figure 2b,c illustrate the mutual radial repulsion between the two strands. The forces exerted within the double helix, which warrant particular attention, are illustrated in this depiction. Here, an essential characteristic of the forces acting within the double helix is evident, requiring further consideration. It follows from the laws of classical electrodynamics that when passing through parallel conductors, electric currents with the same direction are mutually attracted. If currents flow not through straightened but helical conductors, the interaction force of these currents is found to be highly dependent on the pitch angle of strands in the double helix. As demonstrated in [48], there exists a critical pitch angle of the double helix ${\alpha }_0\approx 38 \mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{g}$ at which the radial force of interaction between the currents in the two strands turns to zero and undergoes a change in direction. For the DNA-like helix, characterized by a pitch angle of $\alpha$ = 28.4 deg, the currents in the two strands do not attract, as in the case with straightened conductors. Instead, they exert a mutual repulsive force when they flow in the same direction with respect to the helical axis. Under half-wave resonance, exactly this eigenmode of current oscillations is excited in a double DNA-like helix.

Figure 3a,b depict the forces exerted at the top edge of a double DNA-like helix when subjected to an incident linearly polarized wave at half-wave resonance. Additionally, a vector diagram illustrating these forces is shown. When this mode of oscillation is excited, the charge distribution in the helices closely matches the model of an electric dipole. The simulation verifies that the electric charge density within each helical strand increases monotonously from the center of the strand to its ends. Upon the 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. Furthermore, the charges present in the two strands exhibit identical signs.

Figure 4 illustrates the frequency-dependent characteristics of the forces exerted on the edges of the helix in close proximity to the resonance frequency. Figure 4a demonstrates that for both strands the inequalities ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{x}}^{\left(\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{p}\right)}>0$ and ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{x}}^{\left(\mathrm{b}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{m}\right)}<0$ are satisfied for the X-components of the forces at the top and bottom edges of the double helix. Thus, the X-components of the forces acting at the top and bottom edges of the double DNA-like helix stretch both strands of the helix. Figure 4b illustrates that the Y-components of the forces exerted on the top edge of the double DNA-like helix result in a mutual repulsion between the helix strands. Similar forces of mutual repulsion between two strands exist at the bottom edge of the double helix. The indicated direction of the X- and Y-components of the forces is due to the fact that charges of the same sign are induced on the two strands in the regions located symmetrically relative to the helix axis. With the help of Figure 4c, it is possible to analyze the direction of the torque moment $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{N}}=\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}\times \overrightarrow{\mathrm{F}}$ operating on the strands of the double helix at its edges. The inequalities ${\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{x}}^{\left(\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{p}\right)}>0$ and ${\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{x}}^{\left(\mathrm{b}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{m}\right)}<0$ are satisfied for the X-components of the torque moment at the top and bottom edges of the double helix, as shown in Figure 4c. This paper examines a right-handed double helix that is analogous to an actual DNA molecule. In this regard, Figure 4c shows that the Z-components of the forces acting on the top and bottom edges of the right-handed double DNA-like helix induce an additional twisting effect on the helix.

4. Discussion

The forces arising in a conductive DNA-like double helix in the field of a microwave electromagnetic wave are calculated. These interactions can occur both in DNA molecules themselves and in double DNA-like helices that serve as components of metamaterials and metasurfaces. The helix under consideration has geometric parameters proportional to the size of an actual DNA molecule. The length of the helical strands is approximately equal to half the wavelength of the incident electromagnetic radiation, which ensures the occurrence of a half-wave resonance. Theoretical calculations and modeling are used to determine the forces acting on the strands of the double helix, both in the central region and at the edges of the helix. It has been demonstrated that the aforementioned forces act on electric charges and currents in helical strands and cause a change in the shape of the helix, in particular, the mutual repulsion of the strands, as well as their stretching and twisting in the field of electromagnetic waves. As opposed to a pair of parallel straight conductors, there is a radial repulsion of strands in all regions of a double DNA-like helix, including the center and the edges [48]. This unique interaction of currents in a double DNA-like helix can be attributed to its pitch angle, a characteristic that has been established through empirical evidence [6,7]. Consequently, exposure to an electromagnetic wave under half-wave resonance can damage the double helix.

This study explores the linear state of the DNA molecule, which is possible along with the supercoiled and relaxed states [29]. Articles [30,31,32] have considered several potential mechanisms for the transition of a DNA molecule between different states, encompassing transitions induced by electrons or intense infrared radiation. Transitions of this nature can occur due to ruptures in either or both strands forming the double-helical structure of the DNA molecule. The task of our paper is to study the forces that can arise in the strands of a double helix in the field of an electromagnetic wave, when it is resonant. Such electromagnetic forces can lead to a change in the shape of the double helix, as well as the previously studied effects of electrons and intense infrared radiation [30,31,32]. Conversely, exposure to electromagnetic waves can potentially lead to new possibilities for tailoring the shape of the double helix.

Recently studied hybrid metamaterials, including those based on DNA-like helices with embedded metamolecules, open up new prospects for controlling electromagnetic waves [33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47]. No research has been carried out on the forces of interaction between inclusions in this type of metamaterial. At this research stage, the interaction forces between the helical strands alone, without embedded metamolecules, are also of interest as a “background” against which other resonant effects, including plasmonic effects, can be detected.

5. Conclusions

This article is interdisciplinary and focuses primarily on double DNA-like helices, which can be used as elements of metamaterials, provided they are scaled to the required frequency range of electromagnetic waves. In addition, the results obtained can be applied to real DNA while studying the disruptive effects of electromagnetic waves. The study considers the activation of the intrinsic mode of oscillations of electric current and electric charges in a double DNA-like helix, which correspond to a half-wave resonance, under the influence of an incident electromagnetic wave. Interaction forces manifest between the strands comprising the double helix, with primarily electric currents interacting in the central region and predominantly electric charges interacting at the edges. The simulation demonstrates that the direction of these interaction forces depends strongly on the pitch angle of the helix. For a double DNA-like helix with a pitch angle of α = 28.4 degrees, not only charges but also currents repel in the two strands of the helix, i.e., there is radial repulsion of the strands in all their regions. In addition, the edges of the helix are affected by the simultaneous tension and torsion forces of the helical strands. Hence, when subjected to an electromagnetic wave under the half-wave resonance condition, the double helix is susceptible to damage in all its areas. Conversely, the impact of electromagnetic waves may provide a novel potential for controlling the shape of the double helix. These nonlinear effects must be taken into account for actual DNA molecules in which the strands are very close to each other and the equilibrium of these molecules is dependent on the interaction of currents and charges in the strands. When developing metamaterials and metasurfaces with double DNA-like helical elements, the interaction of helical conductors must also be considered [52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60].