Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
Published on: October 25, 2017
Tension dynamics in semiflexible polymers. II. Scaling solutions and applications
Oskar Hallatschek1, Erwin Frey, Klaus Kroy
1Lyman Laboratory of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. ohallats@fas.harvard.edu
Abstract:
In part I [O. Hallatschek, preceding paper, Phys. Rev. E 75, 031905 (2007)] of this contribution, a systematic coarse-grained description of the dynamics of a weakly bending semiflexible polymer was developed. Here, we discuss analytical solutions of the established deterministic partial integro-differential equation for the spatiotemporal relaxation of the backbone tension. For prototypal experimental situations, such as the sudden application or release of a strong external pulling force, it is demonstrated that the tensile dynamics reflects the self-affine conformational fluctuation spectrum in a variety of intermediate asymptotic power laws. Detailed and explicit analytical predictions for the tension propagation and relaxation and corresponding results for common observables, such as the end-to-end distance, are obtained.
Related Concept Videos
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers II
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution
Scaling
Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers

