Self-reptation and slow topological time scale of knotted polymers

Enzo Orlandini; Attilio L. Stella; Carlo Vanderzande; Francesco Zonta

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arXiv · 0705.2291

Self-reptation and slow topological time scale of knotted polymers

Enzo Orlandini·Attilio L. Stella·Carlo Vanderzande·Francesco Zonta

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Abstract

We investigate the Rouse dynamics of a flexible ring polymer with a prime knot. Within a Monte Carlo approach, we locate the knot, follow its diffusion, and observe the fluctuations of its length. We characterise a topological time scale, and show that it is related to a self-reptation of the knotted region. The associated dynamical exponent, $z_T=2.32\pm.1$, can be related to that of the equilibrium knot length distribution and determines the behaviour of several dynamical quantities.

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Enzo Orlandini, Attilio L. Stella, Carlo Vanderzande, Francesco Zonta. 2007-05-16. Self-reptation and slow topological time scale of knotted polymers. https://arxiv.org/abs/0705.2291

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