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Elasticity of semiflexible polymers in two dimensions

Ashok Prasad·Yuko Hori·Jane' Kondev
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Abstract

We study theoretically the entropic elasticity of a semi-flexible polymer, such as DNA, confined to two dimensions. Using the worm-like-chain model we obtain an exact analytical expression for the partition function of the polymer pulled at one end with a constant force. The force-extension relation for the polymer is computed in the long chain limit in terms of Mathieu characteristic functions. We also present applications to the interaction between a semi-flexible polymer and a nematic field, and derive the nematic order parameter and average extension of the polymer in a strong field.

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Ashok Prasad, Yuko Hori, Jane' Kondev. 2007-04-06. Elasticity of semiflexible polymers in two dimensions. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.72.041918

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