Folding Transitions of Self-Avoiding Membranes

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transitions of self-avoiding polymerized membranes, revealing multiple first-order folding transitions from flat to collapsed states through extensive simulations and phase diagram analysis.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive phase diagram and identifies the nature of folding transitions in self-avoiding membranes using hybrid Monte Carlo simulations.

Findings

Multiple first-order folding transitions identified

Phase diagram of membranes in temperature-field plane constructed

Finite size scaling confirms transition order

Abstract

The phase structure of self-avoiding polymerized membranes is studied by extensive Hybrid Monte Carlo simulations. Several folding transitions from the flat to a collapsed state are found. Using a suitable order parameter and finite size scaling theory, these transitions are shown to be of {\em first order}. The phase diagram in the temperature-field plane is given.