Torque-Induced Rotational Dynamics in Polymers: Torsional Blobs and Thinning

TL;DR

This study combines blob theory and simulations to analyze how linear polymers behave under torque-induced rotation around a rod, revealing distinct regimes including a novel thinning regime with weak torque dependence.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of torque-driven polymer rotation, identifying new scaling laws and a unique thinning regime not observed in force-driven cases.

Findings

Identified three rotational regimes: equilibrium, trumpet-shaped, and wrapped.

Derived scaling relations between angular velocity, elongation, and torque.

Discovered a logarithmic thinning regime with weak torque dependence.

Abstract

By using the blob theory and computer simulations, we investigate the properties of a linear polymer performing a stationary rotational motion around a long impenetrable rod. In particular, in the simulations the rotation is induced by a torque applied to the end of the polymer that is tethered to the rod. Three different regimes are found, in close analogy with the case of polymers pulled by a constant force at one end. For low torques the polymer rotates maintaining its equilibrium conformation. At intermediate torques the polymer assumes a trumpet shape, being composed by blobs of increasing size. At even larger torques the polymer is partially wrapped around the rod. We derive several scaling relations between various quantities as angular velocity, elongation and torque. The analytical predictions match the simulation data well. Interestingly, we find a "thinning" regime where the torque has a very weak (logarithmic) dependence on the angular velocity. We discuss the origin of this behavior, which has no counterpart in polymers pulled by an applied force.