Anisotropic Random Networks of Semiflexible Polymers

Motivated by the organization of crosslinked cytoskeletal biopolymers, we present a semimicroscopic replica field theory for the formation of anisotropic random networks of semiflexible polymers. The networks are formed by introducing random permanent crosslinks which fix the orientations of the corresponding polymer segments to align with one another. Upon increasing the crosslink density, we obtain a continuous gelation transition from a fluid phase to a gel where a finite fraction of the system gets localized at random positions. For sufficiently stiff polymers, this positional localization is accompanied by a {\em continuous} isotropic-to-nematic (IN) transition occuring at the same crosslink density. As the polymer stiffness decreases, the IN transition becomes first order, shifts to a higher crosslink density, and is preceeded by an orientational glass (statistically isotropic amorphous solid) where the average polymer orientations freeze in random directions.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures; final version with expanded discussion to appear in PR

A two-pion exchange three-nucleon force based on a realistic π\pi-N interaction

The contribution of a $\pi \pi$-exchange three-body force to the three-nucleon binding energy is calculated in terms of a $\pi N$ amplitude. The latter is based on a meson-theoretical model of $\pi N$ interaction developed by the J\"ulich group. Similar to a previous study based on simple phenomenological $\pi N$ potentials a very small effect of the resulting three-body force is found. Possible origins of the two-orders-of-magnitude descrepancy between the present result and the values obtained for the Tucson-Melbourne three-body force are investigated. Evidence is provided that this discrepancy is most likely due to strikingly different off-shell properties of the $\pi N$ amplitudes underlying the two approaches

Linear response of a grafted semiflexible polymer to a uniform force field

We use the worm-like chain model to analytically calculate the linear response of a grafted semiflexible polymer to a uniform force field. The result is a function of the bending stiffness, the temperature, the total contour length, and the orientation of the field with respect to that of the grafted end. We also study the linear response of a worm-like chain with a periodic alternating sequence of positive and negative charges. This can be considered as a model for a polyampholyte with intrinsic bending siffness and negligible intramolecular interactions. We show how the finite intrinsic persistence length affects the linear response to the external field.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure