Tension dynamics and viscoelasticity of extensible wormlike chains

TL;DR

This paper develops a systematic theory for tension dynamics in extensible wormlike chains, revealing how prestress influences high-frequency viscoelastic behavior and the interplay between tension propagation and contour length relaxation.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding tension dynamics in extensible wormlike chains, incorporating prestress effects and viscoelastic responses.

Findings

Moderate prestress induces Rouse-like extensibility signatures.

Tension dynamics are coupled with contour length relaxation.

High-frequency viscoelastic response is significantly affected by prestress.

Abstract

The dynamic response of prestressed semiflexible biopolymers is characterized by the propagation and relaxation of tension, which arises due to the near inextensibility of a stiff backbone. It is coupled to the dynamics of contour length stored in thermal undulations, but also to the local relaxation of elongational strain. We present a systematic theory of tension dynamics for stiff yet extensible wormlike chains. Our results show that even moderate prestress gives rise to distinct Rouse-like extensibility signatures in the high-frequency viscoelastic response.