title: Dynamics of polymer decompression: expansion, unfolding, and ejection.
abstract: The dynamics of polymer decompression from a compact state to swollen conformation can be formally described as nonlinear diffusion. We discuss two basic examples: (i) the expansion, or unfolding from a compact state, and (ii) the ejection of a compressed polymer through a pore. The problem can be solved exactly for case (i), but not for case (ii). Even in such situations, a scheme called uniform approximation is shown to be useful to get a physical insight involved. Its application to case (ii) is able to account for conflicting numerical data in a consistent way.
authors.affiliation: Fukui Institute for Fundamental Chemistry, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan. sakaue@scphys.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakaue
authors.forename: Natsuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshinaga
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009038:Motion; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers