Tracing photon transmission in dye-doped DNA-CTMA optical nanofibers

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate the novel phenomena of photoluminescence (PL) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assisted three-color PL separating in DNA optical nanofibers consisting of the stretched and connected DNA-cetyltrimethyl ammonium wires. The PL experiments are performed to comparatively trace photon transmission between single dye-doped DNA-CTMA optical nanofiber and PMMA optical nanofiber. A cascade FRET including DNA minor groove binder and DNA intercalators is used to further trace photon transmission inside DNA-CTMA wire. These experimental results will help to intrigue the new applications of DNA-CTMA as molecular waveguide in optobioelectronics area.

Thickness, morphology, and optoelectronic characteristics of pristine and surfactant-modified DNA thin films

“…In recent years, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and cetyltrimethyl-ammonium chloride-modified DNA (DNA-CTMA) biopolymers, which are naturally abundant and biodegradable, have been applied in various research fields in physics, chemistry, and biology. Because of the significant and unique characteristics of DNA molecules, such as high transparency [1], thermal stability [2], nonlinear optical activity [3][4][5], amplified emission [6][7][8], electron blocking, hole transport nature [9][10][11], enhanced fluorescence [12], hosting of laser dyes [13][14][15], and modification capability [16], they can be used in efficient devices and sensors. By embedding specific nanomaterials, such as dye molecules, metal ions, nanoparticles, proteins, and drugs, into the DNA duplexes, functionalized DNA molecules can improve electrical, magnetic, and optical properties as well as biological capabilities [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

Pursuing excitonic energy transfer with programmable DNA-based optical breadboards

“… 274 Long et al went a step further and coordinated three dyes into their DNA-CTMA nanofibers, specifically Hoechst 33258 (D), acriflavine (relay) and Rhodamine 6G (A). 276 The FRET relay within this DNA-CTMA fiber allowed it to function as a low loss molecular waveguide with a transmission of up to ∼40 μm for the red light emitted by the Rhodamine 6G.…”

Biomolecule-Based Optical Metamaterials: Design and Applications

“…Interestingly, this material favors the conversion of UV light into white light, as was demonstrated by coating white-light-emitting DNAbased nanofibers onto 400-nm-emitting solid-state LEDs [ 225 ]. Dye-doped fibers of DNA-CTMA can greatly enhance fluorescent efficiency and show visible and near-infrared light waveguiding properties [ 226 ]. Light scattering and confinement in the fibers together with potential dye stabilization result in a significant reduction of non-radiative decay channels for excitation, ideal characteristics for a laser application [ 227 ].…”