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Updated: Mar 17, 2026
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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
Published on: September 26, 2016
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Energy localization and shape transformations in semiflexible polymer rings.
Yu B Gaididei1, J F R Archilla2, V J Sánchez-Morcillo3
1Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Metrologichna Street 14 B, 03143 Kiev, Ukraine.
Physical Review. E
|July 15, 2016
Summary
Driven molecular chains transition from circular to polygonal shapes when energy input exceeds a critical threshold. This nonequilibrium phase transition leads to localized energy distribution and altered chain dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Physics, Condensed Matter
- Materials Science
- Chemical Physics
Background:
- Molecular chains exhibit complex dynamics influenced by external fields and internal couplings.
- Understanding shape transformations in driven systems is crucial for designing novel materials and devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shape transformations in driven and damped molecular chains.
- To analyze the effect of external fields on the chain's bending rigidity and overall shape.
- To explore the phenomenon of nonequilibrium phase transitions in molecular aggregates.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of weakly coupled molecular subunits in a closed chain.
- Analysis of the interplay between internal excitations and bending degrees of freedom.
- Study of the system's response to spatially homogeneous, time-periodic external fields.
Main Results:
- In the absence of driving, the molecular chain adopts a circular shape.
- Exceeding a critical energy input triggers a nonequilibrium phase transition, deforming the chain into elliptical or polygonal shapes.
- Excitation energy becomes nonuniformly distributed, localizing in flatter regions of the chain.
Conclusions:
- External driving and damping can induce significant shape transformations in molecular chains.
- Nonequilibrium phase transitions are observable in these systems, leading to complex emergent behaviors.
- The findings have implications for understanding energy localization and dynamics in soft matter systems.
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