Interaction of terahertz radiation with DNA

A nonlinear model of DNA dynamics with coupling between conformational dynamics and proton tunneling is presented. It is demonstrated that terahertz radiation can influence both vibrational excitations and proton motion in DNA hydrogen bonds. The irradiation at the edge of far IR spectral range can promote proton tunneling. If the radiation frequency matches the vibrational mode, the generation of localized excitations in form of dissipative solitons is possible. These solitons decrease the probability of proton tunneling.