Self-consistent field theory of polymer-ionic molecule complexation

A self-consistent field theory is developed for polymers that are capable of binding small ionic molecules (adsorbates). The polymer-ionic molecule association is described by Ising-like binding variables, C_(i)^(a)(kΔ)(= 0 or 1), whose average determines the number of adsorbed molecules, nBI. Polymer gelation can occur through polymer-ionic molecule complexation in our model. For polymer-polymer cross-links through the ionic molecules, three types of solutions for nBI are obtained, depending on the equilibrium constant of single-ion binding. Spinodal lines calculated from the mean-field free energy exhibit closed-loop regions where the homogeneous phase becomes unstable. This phase instability is driven by the excluded-volume interaction due to the single occupancy of ion-binding sites on the polymers. Moreover, sol-gel transitions are examined using a critical degree of conversion. A gel phase is induced when the concentration of adsorbates is increased. At a higher concentration of the adsorbates, however, a re-entrance from a gel phase into a sol phase arises from the correlation between unoccupied and occupied ion-binding sites. The theory is applied to a model system, poly(vinyl alcohol) and borate ion in aqueous solution with sodium chloride. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtaine

Phase Separation Induced by Ladder-Like Polymer-Polymer Complexation

Polymer-polymer complexation in solvent is studied using an extension of the self-consistent field theory. The model polymers are capable of forming ladder-like duplex structures. The duplex formation occurs with an abrupt change of entropy, resulting in a first-order transition. Moreover, the complexation can be stabilized by solvent-polymer interactions, instead of the usual specific binding interactions. Various types of unconventional phase diagrams are predicted. For example, phase separation with decreasing χ-parameter between duplex polymer and solvent can be induced, leading to a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior. Multiphase coexistence points at which two, three, or four phases coexist are also obtained. Under certain conditions a homogeneous phase becomes unstable when the polymer chain length is decreased, in contrast to the standard Flory-Huggins theory

Domain wall solution of the Skyrme model

A class of domain-wall-like solutions of the Skyrme model is obtained analytically. They are described by the tangent hyperbolic function, which is a special limit of the Weierstrass $\wp$ function. The behavior of one of the two terms in the static energy density is like that of a domain wall. The other term in the static energy density does not vanish but becomes constant at the points far apart from the wall.Comment: 17 pages, 6 eps figure

Solitonic solutions of Faddeev model

An application of the equation proposed by the present authors, which is equivalent to the static field equation of the Faddeev model, is discussed. Under some assumptions on the space and on the form of the solution, the field equation is reduced to a non-linear ODE of second order. By solving this equation numerically, some solitonic solutions are obtained. It is discussed that the product of two integers specifying solutions may be identified with the Hopf topological invariant

Bose-Einstein Condensation with Entangled Order Parameter

We propose a practically accessible non-mean-field ground state of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC), which occurs in an interspecies two-particle entangled state, and is thus described by an entangled order parameter. A suitably defined entanglement entropy is used as the characterization of the non-mean-field nature, and is found to persist in a wide parameter regime. The interspecies entanglement leads to novel interference terms in the dynamical equations governing the single particle orbital wavefunctions. Experimental feasibility and several methods of probe are discussed. We urge the study of multi-channel scattering between different species of atoms.Comment: V1: 5 pages, 4 figures. Accepted by Phys. Rev. Lett.; V2: A couple of very minor typos corrected, publishe