Finsler Geometry Modeling of Phase Separation in Multi-Component Membranes
Satoshi Usui1, Hiroshi Koibuchi2
1Department of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Ibaraki College, Nakane 866, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-8508, Japan. ac14102@gm.ibaraki-ct.ac.jp.
Abstract:
A Finsler geometric surface model is studied as a coarse-grained model for membranes of three components, such as zwitterionic phospholipid (DOPC), lipid (DPPC) and an organic molecule (cholesterol). To understand the phase separation of liquid-ordered (DPPC rich) L o and liquid-disordered (DOPC rich) L d , we introduce a binary variable σ ( = ± 1 ) into the triangulated surface model. We numerically determine that two circular and stripe domains appear on the surface. The dependence of the morphological change on the area fraction of L o is consistent with existing experimental results. This provides us with a clear understanding of the origin of the line tension energy, which has been used to understand these morphological changes in three-component membranes. In addition to these two circular and stripe domains, a raft-like domain and budding domain are also observed, and the several corresponding phase diagrams are obtained.
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