Coupling between helix-coil and coil-globule transitions in helical polymers.

Phys Rev Lett

The Maurice Morton Institute of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, USA.

Published: October 2005

We explore the coupling between the helix-coil and coil-globule transitions of a helical polymer using Monte Carlo simulations. A very rich state diagram is found. Each state is characterized by a specific configuration of the chain which could be a helix, a random coil, an amorphous globule, or one of various other globular states which carry residual helical strands. We study the boundaries between states and provide further insight into the physics of the system with a detailed analysis of the order parameter and other properties.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.168304DOI Listing

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