title: Elasticity of semiflexible polymers in two dimensions.
abstract: We study theoretically the entropic elasticity of a semiflexible polymer, such as DNA, confined to two dimensions. Using the worm-like-chain model we obtain an exact analytical expression for the partition function of the polymer pulled at one end with a constant force. The force-extension relation for the polymer is computed in the long chain limit in terms of Mathieu characteristic functions. We also present applications to the interaction between a semiflexible polymer and a nematic field, and derive the nematic order parameter and average extension of the polymer in a strong field.
authors.affiliation: Martin Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Mailstop 057, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9110, USA. ashok@brandeis.edu
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Jané
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kondev
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009038:Motion; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers