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arXiv · cond-mat/9610098

Straightening of Thermal Fluctuations in Semi-Flexible Polymers by Applied Tension

Udo Seifert·Wolfgang Wintz·Philip Nelson
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Abstract

We investigate the propagation of a suddenly applied tension along a thermally excited semi-flexible polymer using analytical approximations, scaling arguments and numerical simulation. This problem is inherently non-linear. We find sub-diffusive propagation with a dynamical exponent of 1/4. By generalizing the internal elasticity, we show that tense strings exhibit qualitatively different tension profiles and propagation with an exponent of 1/2.

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Udo Seifert, Wolfgang Wintz, Philip Nelson. 1996-10-11. Straightening of Thermal Fluctuations in Semi-Flexible Polymers by Applied Tension. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.77.5389

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