Dynamics of a polymer chain translocating through varying cone-shaped channels

By employing the exact enumeration technique, we study consequences of different apex angles of a wedge-shaped channel on the mean first passage time and free-energy profile of a linear polymer chain translocating from the cis- to the trans-side through an interacting pore. We investigate effects of asymmetry arising in the free-energy profile due to the change in apex angles and its dependence on the first passage time. We report the combined effect of entropy (arising due to apex angles) and pore interaction on the nonmonotonic behavior of the translocation time. The effect of different solvent quality across the channel has also been explored. We show that the increase in monomer-monomer interaction leads to the formation of globules near the pore, which drives the process faster.