Nonequilibrium dynamics of polymer translocation and straightening

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nonequilibrium dynamics of polymer translocation and straightening, analyzing how tensile forces propagate along the chain during absorption, with new models accounting for nonuniform stretching and hydrodynamics.

Contribution

It introduces new theoretical formulae for absorption time and dynamical variables, challenging previous conjectures and considering hydrodynamic effects.

Findings

Proposes revised formulas for polymer absorption time.

Analyzes the impact of nonuniform stretching on translocation dynamics.

Considers hydrodynamic interactions in the dynamical process.

Abstract

When a flexible polymer is sucked into a localized small hole, the chain can initially respond only locally and the sequential nonequilibrium processes follow in line with the propagation of the tensile force along the chain backbone. We analyze this dynamical process by taking the nonuniform stretching of the polymer into account both with and without hydrodynamics interactions. Earlier conjectures on the absorption time are criticized and new formulae are proposed together with time evolutions of relevant dynamical variables.