S. K. Sekatskii

Observation of single-stranded DNA on mica and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite by atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy was used to image single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) adsorbed on mica modified by Mg2+, by 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane or on modified highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). ssDNA molecules on mica have compact structures with lumps, loops and super twisting, while on modified HOPG graphite ssDNA molecules adopt a conformation without secondary structures. We have shown that the immobilization of ssDNA under standard conditions on modified HOPG eliminates intramolecular base‐pairing, thus this method could be important for studying certain processes involving ssDNA in more details.

Force spectroscopy with a small dithering of AFM tip: A method of direct and continuous measurement of the spring constant of single molecules and molecular complexes

A new method of direct and continuous measurement of the spring constant of single molecule or molecular complex is elaborated. To that end the standard force spectroscopy technique with functionalized tips and samples is combined with a small dithering of the tip. The change of the dithering amplitude as a function of the pulling force is measured to extract the spring constant of the complex. The potentialities of this method are illustrated for the experiments with single bovine serum albumin-its polyclonal antibody (Ab-BSA) and fibrinogen-fibrinogen complexes.

Photonic Crystal Biosensor Based on Optical Surface Waves

A label-free biosensor device based on registration of photonic crystal surface waves is described. Angular interrogation of the optical surface wave resonance is used to detect changes in the thickness of an adsorbed layer, while an additional simultaneous detection of the critical angle of total internal reflection provides independent data of the liquid refractive index. The abilities of the device are demonstrated by measuring of biotin molecule binding to a streptavidin monolayer, and by measuring association and dissociation kinetics of immunoglobulin G proteins. Additionally, deposition of PSS/PAH polyelectrolytes is recorded in situ resulting calculation of PSS and PAH monolayer thicknesses separately.

Registration of long-range surface plasmon resonance by angle-scanning feedback and its implementation for optical hydrogen sensing

An optical technique devised for the detection of the ultrasharp angular resonance of long-range surface plasmons (LRSPs) is described. The LRSPs propagate along an 8 nm-thick palladium (Pd) film deposited on a one- dimensional photonic crystal structure and bordering a gas environment at another Pd film interface. At such a small metal film thickness, the scattering attenuation losses prevail over dissipation losses inside the film and we use this scattering as an input signal to pick up the angle of the surface plasmon resonance by a closed feedback loop via an angle-scanning piezomirror. As an implementation of this technique, we detected a 0.5% hydrogen concentration in nitrogen at room temperature with a signal/noise ratio of approximately 100 and response and recovery times of about 5 and 15 s, respectively.

Magneto-optical plasmonic heterostructure with ultranarrow resonance for sensing applications

Currently, sensors invade into our everyday life to bring higher life standards, excellent medical diagnostic and efficient security. Plasmonic biosensors demonstrate an outstanding performance ranking themselves among best candidates for different applications. However, their sensitivity is still limited that prevents further expansion. Here we present a novel concept of magnetoplasmonic sensor with ultranarrow resonances and high sensitivity. Our approach is based on the combination of a specially designed one-dimensional photonic crystal and a ferromagnetic layer to realize ultralong-range propagating magnetoplasmons and to detect alteration of the environment refractive index via observation of the modifications in the Transversal Magnetooptical Kerr Effect spectrum. The fabrication of such a structure is relatively easy in comparison with e.g. nanopatterned samples. The fabricated heterostructure shows extremely sharp (angular width of 0.06°) surface plasmon resonance and even sharper magnetoplasmonic resonance (angular width is 0.02°). It corresponds to the propagation length as large as 106 μm which is record for magnetoplasmons and promising for magneto-optical interferometry and plasmonic circuitry as well as magnetic field sensing. The magnitude of the Kerr effect of 11% is achieved which allows for detection limit of 1∙10−6. The prospects of further increase of the sensitivity of this approach are discussed.

On equalities involving integrals of the logarithm of the Riemann ζ-function and equivalent to the Riemann hypothesis

By using the generalized Littlewood theorem about a contour integral involving the logarithm of an analytic function, we show how an infinite number of integral equalities involving integrals of the logarithm of the Riemann ζ-function and equivalent to the Riemann hypothesis can be established and present some of them as an example. It is shown that all earlier known equalities of this type, viz., the Wang equality, Volchkov equality, Balazard–Saias–Yor equality, and an equality established by one of the authors, are certain special cases of our general approach.

Characterization of glycoprotein E C-End of West Nile virus and evaluation of its interaction force with αVβ3 integrin as putative cellular receptor

Recombinant polypeptide containing the 260–466 amino acid sequence of West Nile virus (WNV) strain LEIV-Vlg99-27889-human glycoprotein E (gpE, E260–466) was constructed. Immunochemical similarity between the E260–466 and gpE of WNV was proven by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), immunoblot, competitive EIA, hemagglutination inhibition, and neutralization tests using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the viral gpE and recombinant E260–466. Polypeptide E260–466 induced formation of virus neutralizing and cross-reactive antibodies that were interactive with various epitopes of this recombinant protein. It is shown by evaluation of the interaction of E260–466 with one of the proposed cell receptors of WNV that average E260–466-αVβ3 integrin-specific interaction force measured using atomic force spectroscopy was 80 and 140 pN for single and double interactions, correspondingly. Taken together with previously described interaction between laminin-binding protein (LBP) and WNV gpE domain II, it is proposed that WNV gpE can interact specifically with two cellular proteins (LBP and αVβ3 integrin) during virus entry.

Laser nanotraps and nanotweezers for cold atoms: 3D gradient dipole force trap in the vicinity of scanning near-field optical microscope tip

Using a two-dipole model of an optical near-field of scanning near-field optical microscope tip, i.e., taking into account contributions of magnetic and electric dipoles, we propose and analyze a new type of 3D optical nanotrap found for certain relations between electric and magnetic dipoles. Electric field attains a minimum value in vacuum in the vicinity of the tip and hence such a trap is quite suitable for manipulations with cold atoms.

Size-dependent hydrogen uptake behavior of Pd nanoparticles revealed by photonic crystal surface waves

We present an optical method of study of nanoparticle properties using photonic crystal surface waves. Palladium nanoparticles were deposited on a surface of a one-dimensional photonic crystal, which supports the propagation of p-polarized optical surface waves. The changes in the nanoparticle properties, such as its dimension and refractive index, were monitored through angle interrogation of the photonic crystal surface waves. The interaction of palladium nanoparticles with hydrogen was detected with this method. The size-different hydrogen uptake behavior by 2 and 6 nm diameter Pd nanoparticles results in qualitatively different response of the optical signal, viz., in the different signs of such a response. This not only confirms the absence of the α- to β-phase transformation for the smallest palladium nanoparticles, but is a plausible indication that hydrogen donates its electrons to a collective electron band of the metal.

Force spectroscopy of barnase-barstar single molecule interaction

Results of the single molecule force spectroscopy study of specific interactions between ribonuclease barnase and its inhibitor barstar are presented. Experimental data obtained for the force loading rate ranging 2–70 nN/s are well approximated by a single straight line, from which the dissociation barrier of the width of 0.12 nm and height of 0.75–0.85×10−19 J can be inferred. The measured value of specific interaction does not depend on the NaCl concentration. This apparently contradicts the well‐known dependence of the binding energy of this pair on the salt concentration, but such a “contradiction” is explained by the insensitivity of the force spectroscopy data to the relatively long‐range electrostatic interaction. The latter essentially contributes to the value of barnase–barstar binding energy revealed by biochemical measurements, and it is exactly this electrostatic interaction which is influenced by the salt concentration. Copyright