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Diffusion-limited loop formation of semiflexible polymers: Kramers theory and the intertwined time scales of chain relaxation and closing

arXiv:cond-mat/0306546 · doi:10.1209/epl/i2003-00219-7

Abstract

We show that Kramers rate theory gives a straightforward, accurate estimate of the closing time $τ_c$ of a semiflexible polymer that is valid in cases of physical interest. The calculation also reveals how the time scales of chain relaxation and closing are intertwined, illuminating an apparent conflict between two ways of calculating $τ_c$ in the flexible limit.

Europhys. Lett., 2003 (in press). 8 pages, 3 figures. See also, physics/0101087 for physicist's approach to and the importance of semiflexible polymer looping, in DNA replication