Department of Physics Papers
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
12-1996
Publication Source
Physical Review Letters
Volume
77
Issue
27
Start Page
5389
Last Page
5392
DOI
10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.5389
Abstract
We investigate the propagation of a suddenly applied tension along a thermally excited semiflexible polymer using analytical approximations, scaling arguments, and numerical simulation. This problem is inherently nonlinear. We find subdiffusive propagation with a dynamical exponent of 1/4. By generalizing the internal elasticity, we show that tense strings exhibit qualitatively different tension profiles and propagation with an exponent of 1/2.
Recommended Citation
Seifert, U., Wintz, W., & Nelson, P. C. (1996). Straightening of Thermal Fluctuations in Semi-Flexible Polymers by Applied Tension. Physical Review Letters, 77 (27), 5389-5392. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.5389
Date Posted: 01 May 2017
This document has been peer reviewed.