CHINESE JOURNAL OF PHYSICS VOL. 40, NO. 2 APRIL 2002

Letter

Equilibrium Sizes and Dynamics of Flexible Knots

Pik-Yin Lai^*

Department of Physics and Center for Complex Systems, National Central University,

Chung-Li, Taiwan 320, R.O.C.
(Received January 3, 2002)

Topologically distinct knotted polymers in equilibrium under good solvent conditions are investigated by Monte Carlo simulations. The equilibrium sizes of the knots, relaxation times and self-diffusion coefficients are measured for different knot types and chain lengths. The equilibrium knot size and fast relaxation time can be understood in terms of a blob picture and some scaling results are derived which agree with the simulation data.

PACS. 61.41.+e - Polymers, elastomers, and plastics.
PACS. 83.10.Nn - Polymer dynamics.
PACS. 87.10.+e - General, theoretical, and mathematical biophysics.

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