2-Dimensional Polymers Confined in a Strip

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to analyze the behavior of single two-dimensional polymers confined in a narrow strip, focusing on their density profiles, extension, and forces, and compares results with theoretical predictions.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed Monte Carlo simulation approach for 2D polymers in confinement and compares the results with existing theoretical models.

Findings

Density profiles and end point distributions depend on wall distance.

The force exerted on walls scales with the monomer density.

Universal ratio between force and monomer density is confirmed.

Abstract

Single two dimensional polymers confined to a strip are studied by Monte Carlo simulations. They are described by N-step self-avoiding random walks on a square lattice between two parallel hard walls with distance 1 << D << N^\nu (\nu = 3/4 is the Flory exponent). For the simulations we employ the pruned-enriched-Rosenbluth method (PERM) with Markovian anticipation. We measure the densities of monomers and of end points as functions of the distance from the walls, the longitudinal extent of the chain, and the forces exerted on the walls. Their scaling with D and the universal ratio between force and monomer density at the wall are compared to theoretical predictions.