Exact theory of kinkable elastic polymers

摘要: The importance of nonlinearities in material constitutive relations has long been appreciated the continuum mechanics macroscopic rods. Although moment (torque) response to bending is almost universally linear for small deflection angles, many rod systems exhibit a high-curvature softening. signature behavior these kinking transition which localized. Recent DNA cyclization experiments by Cloutier and Widom have offered evidence that linear-elastic theory fails describe DNA. Motivated this recent experimental work, we develop simple exact statistical polymer chains can undergo transition. We characterize with single parameter show resulting reproduces both low-curvature already well described wormlike chain model, as softening observed experiments.