title: Conformations of random polyampholytes
abstract: We study the size R(g) of random polyampholytes (i.e., polymers with randomly charged monomers) as a function of their length N. All results of our extensive Monte Carlo simulations can be rationalized in terms of the scaling theory we develop for the Kantor-Kardar necklace model, although this theory neglects the quenched disorder in the charge sequence along the chain. We find <R(g)> approximately N1/2. The elongated globule model, the initial predictions of both Higgs and Joanny ( approximately N1/3) and Kantor and Kardar ( approximately N), and previous numerical estimates are ruled out.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut fur Polymerforschung, Postfach 3148, D-55021 Mainz, Germany and Institute for Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, G. Bonchev Street, Block 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Yamakov
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milchev
authors.lastname: Jorg Limbach H
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dunweg
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Everaers