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Kinetics of polymer translocation through a pore
1Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and System Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kawazu 680-4, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan. matuyama@bio.kyutech.ac.jp
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|October 16, 2004
Summary
This study investigates polymer translocation through pores. We found polymer segment number scales with time and translocation time scales with polymer length, depending on solvent conditions.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Physics
- Soft Matter Physics
- Theoretical Biophysics
Background:
- Polymer translocation through nanopores is crucial for biological processes and nanotechnology.
- Understanding the dynamics of polymer chains moving across membranes is essential for controlling these processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate the kinetics of a polymer threading through a pore in a membrane.
- To determine the scaling laws for polymer segment distribution and translocation time.
Main Methods:
- Numerical solution of three coupled kinetic equations.
- Analysis of polymer segment number and expansion factors on each side of the membrane.
- Theoretical modeling of polymer translocation dynamics.
Main Results:
- The time evolution of polymer segments (n(1)) follows n(1) ∝ t^(1/(1+nu)) at late stages.
- Translocation time (tau(t)) scales as tau(t) ∝ n^((1+nu)) for large polymer lengths (n).
- Under good solvent conditions (nu=3/5), n(1) ∝ t^(5/8) and tau(t) ∝ n^(8/5).
Conclusions:
- The study provides key scaling relationships for polymer translocation kinetics.
- Results offer insights into controlling polymer transport through nanopores based on solvent conditions.