Uracil-doped DNA thin solid films: A new way to control optical dispersion of DNA film using a RNA constituent

Among five nucleobases, adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T) and uracil (U), uracil is a key distinctive constituent existing only in ribonucleic acid (RNA). RNA shares the common A, G, and C with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) made of A-T, G-C hydrogen bonding. We explored a new attempt to combine uracil (U) with DNA, successfully realizing U-doped DNA thin solid films for the first time. Impacts of uracil on optical properties of the films were thoroughly investigated. The method was based on optimal spin-coating of an aqueous solution of DNA and uracil over silicon or silica substrates. Optical absorption of both aqueous solution and U-doped DNA thin solid films was characterized in a wide spectral range covering UV-visible-IR. Immobilization of uracil within DNA thin solid films was experimentally confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy studies. By using an ellipsometer, we measured the refractive indices of the films and discovered that U-doping was a very effective means to control optical dispersion DNA thin solid film. We further investigated thermo-optic behavior to find impacts of U-doping in DNA films. Detailed thin film processes and optical characterizations are discussed.