Condensed states of a semiflexible copolymer in poor solvent: Figures of eight and discrete size torii

TL;DR

This paper explores the various condensed states of a semiflexible copolymer with two immiscible monomer types in poor solvent conditions, revealing complex structures like figures of eight and discrete size torii through analysis and simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework and simulation evidence for new condensed states in copolymers, expanding understanding beyond homopolymer collapse phenomena.

Findings

Identification of novel condensed structures such as figures of eight and torii

Analytic predictions supported by Brownian dynamics simulations

Richer variety of states compared to homopolymer collapse

Abstract

We examine the condensed states of a simple semiflexible copolymer in which there are two monomer types that are immiscible with each other and with the solvent. Although this is similar to the well known problem of collapse for a semiflexible homopolymer we find that it gives rise to a much richer variety of condensed states. We predict the existence of these states using simple analytic arguments and also observe them directly using Brownian dynamics simulations.