Highly stretched single polymers: atomic-force-microscope experiments versus ab-initio theory.
Experimental single-molecule stretching curves for three backbone architectures (single-stranded DNA, various types of peptides, polyvinylamine) are quantitatively compared with corresponding quantum-chemical (zero-temperature) ab-initio calculations in the high-force range of up to two nanonewtons. For high forces, quantitative agreement is obtained with the contour length of the polymers as the only fitting parameter. For smaller forces, the effects of chain fluctuations are accounted for by using recent theoretical results for the stretching response of a freely-rotating-chain model.
Hugel
Thorsten
T
Center for Nanoscience, LMU München, Geschwister-Scholl Platz 1, 80799 München, Germany.
Rief
Matthias
M
Seitz
Markus
M
Gaub
Hermann E
HE
Netz
Roland R
RR
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers; D011145:Polyvinyls; C008996:poly(vinylamine); D004247:DNA