Pseudoknots in a homopolymer.
After a discussion of the definition and number of pseudoknots, we reconsider the self-attracting homopolymer paying particular attention to the scaling of the pseudoknot number (Npk) at different temperature regimes in two and three dimensions. We find that, although the total number of pseudoknots is extensive at all temperatures, the number of those forming between the two halves of the chain diverges logarithmically at (both dimensions) and below (two dimensions only) the theta temperature. We later introduce a simple model that emphasizes the role of pseudoknot formation during collapse. The resulting phase diagram involves swollen, branched, and collapsed homopolymer phases with transitions between each pair.
Kabakçioğlu
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INFM-Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Padova, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
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