TABLE I.
Debye-Hückel parameters (the Debye length λD and the effective linear charge density ν of the double helix [39]) and the average values of the minimized free parameters for L = 3.6 µm, d = 0.42L and f = 2 pN under various salt concentrations. Comparison of the braid parameters for the straight (Ca=10) and the buckled phase (Ca=60). Rs and 2πPs are the radius and pitch of the straight braid respectively, while δp and α are the braid helix angle and the superhelix angle in the plectoneme state respectively.
| Salt conc. (M) |
Debye length λD (nm) |
Effective charge ν (nm−1) |
Straight braid (Ca=10) | Buckled braid (Ca=60) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 〈Rs〉 (nm) | 〈Ps〉 (nm) | 〈Rs〉 (nm) | 〈Ps〉 (nm) | 〈δp〉 (°) | 〈α〉 (°) | |||
| 0.01 | 3.0 | 1.97 | 7.1 | 15.7 | 4.9 | 7.8 | 33.9 | 33.5 |
| 0.05 | 1.34 | 4.33 | 4.5 | 13.4 | 3.4 | 6.6 | 28.3 | 29.4 |
| 0.1 | 0.95 | 6.24 | 3.6 | 12.3 | 2.8 | 5.9 | 25.8 | 27.5 |
| 0.5 | 0.42 | 26.6 | 2.3 | 10.8 | 1.9 | 5.3 | 19.4 | 21.0 |