Localization of a Gaussian polymer in a weak periodic surface potential disturbed by a single defect

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a Gaussian polymer's localization in a weak periodic surface potential is affected by a single defect, revealing that the polymer localizes at the defect once a threshold interaction strength is exceeded.

Contribution

It introduces the effect of a single defect on polymer localization in a periodic potential, extending previous models to include defect-induced localization phenomena.

Findings

Polymer localizes at the defect when interaction exceeds a critical threshold.

Monomer concentration decays exponentially with distance from the defect.

Concentration modulation follows the period of the surface potential.

Abstract

Using the results of the recently studied problem of adsorption of a Gaussian polymer in a weak periodic surface potential we study the influence of a single rod like defect on the polymer being localized in the periodic surface potential. We have found that the polymer will be localized at the defect under condition u>u_c, where u_c is the localization threshold in the periodic potential, for any infinitesimal strength of the interaction with defect. We predict that the concentration of monomers of the localized polymer decays exponentially as a function of the distance to the defect and is modulated with the period of the surface potential.