Fluctuating semiflexible polymer ribbon constrained to a ring

Alim, Karen and Frey, Erwin (2007): Fluctuating semiflexible polymer ribbon constrained to a ring. In: European Physical Journal E, Vol. 24, No. 2: pp. 185-191

Abstract

Twist stiffness and an asymmetric bending stiffness of a polymer or a polymer bundle is captured by the elastic ribbon model. We investigate the effects a ring geometry induces to a thermally fluctuating ribbon, finding bend-bend coupling in addition to twist-bend coupling. Furthermore, due to the geometric constraint the polymer's effective bending stiffness increases. A new parameter for experimental investigations of polymer bundles is proposed: the mean square diameter of a ribbonlike ring, which is determined analytically in the semiflexible limit. Monte Carlo simulations are performed which affirm the model's prediction up to high flexibility.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Postprint
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 1292-895X
• Language: German