Nonspecific magnetic biological effects: A model assuming the spin-orbit coupling

Area of Science:

• Quantum Mechanics
• Chemical Physics
• Biophysics

Background:

• The magnetic response of particles in double-well potentials is crucial for understanding quantum phenomena.
• Existing models like the radical pair mechanism (RPM) explain some magnetic field effects but have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the magnetic response of a particle tunneling in a double-well potential.
• To explore the role of spin-orbit interaction in generating magnetic effects.
• To identify potential mechanisms for nonspecific magnetic biological effects.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of a particle in a double-well potential.
• Inclusion of Zeeman, spin-orbit, and other relevant interactions in the Hamiltonian.
• Analysis of electron spin dynamics driven by electric field motion and spin-orbit coupling.

Main Results:

• Spin-orbit interaction induces magnetic effects analogous to the RPM, where electron transfer probability depends on magnetic field direction.
• Unlike RPM, the magnetic effect magnitude is not restricted by hyperfine interaction strength.
• The model accommodates molecular rotations, potentially explaining experimental observations of magnetic field vector inversion asymmetry.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model provides a viable framework for understanding nonspecific magnetic biological effects.
• Spin-orbit interaction is a key factor in generating observable magnetic responses in quantum systems.
• The model's ability to incorporate molecular dynamics offers a more comprehensive explanation for experimental magnetic field sensitivities.