Charge transfer in a DNA molecule within a simple model of an open quantum system

Abstract

The quantum-mechanical model proposed earlier by Skourtis and Nitzan (J. of Chem. Phys. 119, (2003) 6271) to describe a charge transfer in a fragment of artificial DNA molecule has been numerically investigated. The current rationale for the model is carried out and values of its parameters are indicated. Within this model, the description of the transport of a hole carrier in DNA is based on solutions to the time-dependent Schrödinger equation including damping effects. The non-unitary dynamics of the hole carrier is treated by us within the framework of a theory of continuous quantum measurements by the environment in an open quantum system. Results of numerical analysis of the model are in a good agreement with experimental observations and demonstrate two different types of the charged carrier motion, presumably tunneling and incoherent hopping. The main concepts of the theory of decoherence and superselection for open quantum systems and the prospects for their application for further study of various mechanisms of motion of a charged carrier in DNA are briefly discussed.