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arXiv · cond-mat/0405367

Propagation and Relaxation of Tension in Stiff Polymers

Oskar Hallatschek·Erwin Frey·Klaus Kroy
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Abstract

We present a unified theory for the longitudinal dynamic response of a stiff polymer in solution to various external perturbations (mechanical excitations, hydrodynamic flows, electrical fields, temperature quenches ...) that can be represented as sudden changes of ambient/boundary conditions. The theory relies on a comprehensive analysis of the non--equilibrium propagation and relaxation of backbone stresses in a wormlike chain. We recover and substantially extend previous results based on heuristic arguments. Intriguing new experimental implications are pointed out.

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Oskar Hallatschek, Erwin Frey, Klaus Kroy. 2005-03-02. Propagation and Relaxation of Tension in Stiff Polymers. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.94.077804

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