Hydrodynamics of polymers in an active bath

Area of Science:

• Polymer Physics
• Soft Matter Physics
• Statistical Mechanics

Background:

• The behavior of active polymers in solution is crucial for understanding various phenomena.
• Different types of activity, such as self-propelled monomers versus externally driven ones, lead to distinct polymer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the conformational and dynamical properties of active polymers subjected to external active noise.
• To compare the behavior of polymers with externally driven monomers to those with self-propelled monomers.
• To analyze the influence of hydrodynamic interactions (HIs) on active polymer properties.

Main Methods:

• Simulations using a semiflexible bead-spring chain model.
• Analytical calculations employing a continuous linear wormlike chain model.
• Inclusion of hydrodynamic interactions via the Rotne-Prager-Yamakawa tensor or multiparticle-collision dynamics, and the preaveraged Oseen tensor for analytical solutions.

Main Results:

• Active noise significantly alters polymer properties, differing from self-propelled systems.
• Hydrodynamic interactions enhance polymer swelling and mean-square displacement.
• A subdiffusive regime with an exponent of 5/7 is observed for flexible active polymers, exceeding passive polymer models.

Conclusions:

• The nature of activity fundamentally dictates active polymer behavior in solution.
• Hydrodynamic interactions play a critical role in modifying the dynamics and conformation of active polymers.
• The findings provide new insights into the complex behavior of active polymer systems.