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Quantum Dynamics of a Nanorotor Driven by a Magnetic Field

V. N. Binhi

TL;DR

The paper addresses how weak magnetic fields elicit magnetobiological responses beyond radical-pair models by developing a quantum nanorotor framework. It analyzes a rotor rotating under a uniform magnetic field with decoherence, showing a narrow, rotating interference pattern whose visibility and rotation depend on field strength and rotor size. The authors estimate Asp residues' gyromagnetic ratios and decoherence times, arguing that geomagnetic fields can induce observable rotational effects during biopolymerization cycles, potentially affecting protein synthesis and folding. The work proposes a mesoscopic quantum-biology mechanism that could underlie magnetoreception and hypomagnetic-field effects, offering testable predictions and a bridge between quantum coherence and biology.

Abstract

A molecular rotor mechanism is proposed to explain weak magnetic field effects in biology. Despite being nanoscale (1 nm), this rotor exhibits quantum superposition and interference. Analytical modeling shows its quantum dynamics are highly sensitive to weak, but not strong, magnetic fields. Due to its enhanced moment of inertia, the rotor maintains quantum coherence relatively long, even in a noisy cellular environment. Operating at the mesoscopic boundary between quantum and classical behavior, such a rotor embedded in cyclical biological processes could exert significant and observable biological influence.

Quantum Dynamics of a Nanorotor Driven by a Magnetic Field

TL;DR

The paper addresses how weak magnetic fields elicit magnetobiological responses beyond radical-pair models by developing a quantum nanorotor framework. It analyzes a rotor rotating under a uniform magnetic field with decoherence, showing a narrow, rotating interference pattern whose visibility and rotation depend on field strength and rotor size. The authors estimate Asp residues' gyromagnetic ratios and decoherence times, arguing that geomagnetic fields can induce observable rotational effects during biopolymerization cycles, potentially affecting protein synthesis and folding. The work proposes a mesoscopic quantum-biology mechanism that could underlie magnetoreception and hypomagnetic-field effects, offering testable predictions and a bridge between quantum coherence and biology.

Abstract

A molecular rotor mechanism is proposed to explain weak magnetic field effects in biology. Despite being nanoscale (1 nm), this rotor exhibits quantum superposition and interference. Analytical modeling shows its quantum dynamics are highly sensitive to weak, but not strong, magnetic fields. Due to its enhanced moment of inertia, the rotor maintains quantum coherence relatively long, even in a noisy cellular environment. Operating at the mesoscopic boundary between quantum and classical behavior, such a rotor embedded in cyclical biological processes could exert significant and observable biological influence.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 5 sections, 13 equations, 1 figure.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Quantum rotor in an MF
  3. Gyromagnetic ratio of the Asp amino acid residue
  4. Discussion
  5. Conclusion

Figures (1)

  • Figure 1: Rotation of the probability density $W$ of the rotor, representing the Asp residue, at different values of physical time and MF and in the absence, for clarity, of chemical reduction. The probability density features a prominent narrow spike.