Modulated phases in multicomponent fluid membranes.
We investigate the behavior of flexible two-component bilayer and three-component monolayer membranes. The components are assumed to have different spontaneous curvatures, and to mutually phase separate in planar membranes. As a function of temperature, lateral tension and bending rigidity, a rich phase behavior is obtained. In particular, we find three different types of modulated phases. In symmetric bilayers, the excess component assembles at the boundary between oppositely curved domains; in sufficiently asymmetric bilayers, the excess component is found to preferentially assemble in a single layer, with no tendency for segregation to the domain boundaries. We show that the phase behavior of three-component monolayer strongly resembles the behavior of two-component bilayers. In fact, in a certain, restricted region of parameter space, the two models can be shown to be equivalent.
Sunil Kumar
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Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid-und Grenzflächenforschung, Am Mühlenberg, Haus 2, 14476 Golm, Germany.
Gompper
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G
Lipowsky
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D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D007700:Kinetics; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015233:Models, Statistical; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial