Microscopic theory of the tube confinement potential for liquids of topologically entangled rigid macromolecules

Daniel M. Sussman, Kenneth S. Schweizer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We formulate and apply a microscopic self-consistent theory for the dynamic transverse confinement field in solutions of zero-excluded-volume rods based solely on topological entanglements. In agreement with the phenomenological tube model, an infinitely deep potential is predicted. However, strong anharmonicities are found to qualitatively soften localization, in quantitative agreement with experiments on heavily entangled biopolymer solutions. Predictions are also made for the effect of rod alignment on the transverse diffusion constant, tube diameter, and confinement force.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number078102
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume107
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 10 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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