On the confinement of semiflexible chains under torsion

TL;DR

This paper explores how finite torque affects the behavior and dimensions of semiflexible polymers in confined environments, revealing a new lengthscale and implications for nanochannel design.

Contribution

It introduces a new lengthscale in strongly confined semiflexible chains and analyzes the impact of torque on polymer extension and nanochannel dimensions.

Findings

A new lengthscale emerges under strong confinement.

Torque significantly influences polymer extension in nanochannels.

Presence of torque alters nanochannel size requirements to prevent hairpins.

Abstract

The effect of a finite torque on semiflexible polymers in a confined environment is investigated. It is shown how a new lengthscale appears in the strongly confined limit. The influence of a torque on the extension of biopolymers in nanochannels is also touched upon and it is argued that the presence of a torque has a strong influence on the dimensions of nanochannels needed to prevent hairpins.