Stretching dynamics of semiflexible polymers

Abstract

We analyze the nonequilibrium dynamics of single inextensible semiflexible biopolymers as stretching forces are applied at the ends. Based on different (contradicting) heuristic arguments, various scaling laws have been proposed for the propagation speed of the backbone tension which is induced in response to stretching. Here, we employ a newly developed unified theory to systematically substantiate, restrict, and extend these approaches. Introducing the practically relevant scenario of a chain equilibrated under some prestretching force $f_{\text{pre}}$ that is suddenly exposed to a different external force $f_{\text{ext}}$ at the ends, we give a concise physical explanation of the underlying relaxation processes by means of an intuitive blob picture. We discuss the corresponding intermediate asymptotics, derive results for experimentally relevant observables, and support our conclusions by numerical solutions of the coarse-grained equations of motion for the tension.

14 pages, 8 figures; final version as published

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• Longitudinal Response of Confined Semiflexible Polymers
• Semiflexible Polymer Dynamics with a Bead-Spring Model
• Efficient simulation of semiflexible polymers
• Geometry-induced patterns through mechanochemical coupling
• Tension Dynamics and Linear Viscoelastic Behavior of a Single Semiflexible Polymer Chain
• Torque-Induced Rotational Dynamics in Polymers: Torsional Blobs and Thinning
• Thermalized buckling of extensible, semiflexible polymers