Structural dynamics and optimal transport of an active polymer

Area of Science:

• Soft Matter Physics
• Polymer Physics
• Active Matter

Background:

• Active semi-flexible polymers exhibit complex behaviors, including spontaneous shape transitions.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fields ranging from biophysics to materials science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the configuration transitions of active semi-flexible polymers.
• To characterize the dynamics governing these transitions and relate them to known motion models.
• To identify conditions that optimize polymer diffusion.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of configuration transitions.
• Modeling polymer dynamics using a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation.
• Comparison of polymer motion to run-and-tumble dynamics.

Main Results:

• The polymer's configuration dynamics are fully described by a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation.
• The observed motion is consistent with run-and-tumble-like dynamics.
• An optimal self-propelling force exists that maximizes the diffusion coefficient.

Conclusions:

• Active semi-flexible polymers exhibit predictable transitions between spiral and non-spiral states.
• The run-and-tumble model effectively describes the polymer's motion.
• Optimizing self-propelling forces is key to controlling polymer diffusion and activity.