Shapes of Semiflexible Polymers in Confined Spaces
arXiv:0711.4976 · doi:10.1088/1478-3975/5/2/026004
Abstract
We investigate the conformations of a semiflexible polymer confined to a square box. Results of Monte Carlo simulations show the existence of a shape transition when the persistence length of the polymer becomes comparable to the dimensions of box. An order parameter is introduced to quantify this behavior. A simple mean-field model is constructed to study the effect of the shape transition on the effective persistence length of the polymer.
8 pages, 20 figures