title: Invariance of density correlations with charge density in polyelectrolyte solutions.
abstract: We present a theory for the equilibrium structure of polyelectrolyte solutions. A simple and general optimization method is introduced that enables theories such as the random phase approximation to handle the strong repulsive forces present in such systems. Quantitative comparison is made with data from recent neutron-scattering experiments of randomly charged, hydrophilic polymers in salt-free, semidilute solution at various charge densities. We show that the invariance observed at high charge fraction may be the result of polymer-polymer correlations, rather than the conventional explanations involving counterion condensation.
authors.affiliation: The Boeing Company, Huntington Beach, California 92647, USA. jdonley@earthlink.net
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Donley
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Wu