Entropic Forces and Polymer Configurations in Confined Spaces
2.4.12, 12:00
Room 426/8
The free energy of long polymers is frequently dominated by entropy with the interaction energy playing a minor role. In the absence of an energy scale, the corresponding forces are then governed by the thermal energy scale kT and by the length scales associated with the experimental set-up. Recent advances in single molecule manipulation techniques have brought the accuracy of position and force determination into the range where the measurement of relatively small deformations becomes possible. In these situations the detailed shape of probes to which the molecule is attached must be taken into account. I will discuss the influence of probe shapes on the elastic properties of polymers
Room 426/8
The free energy of long polymers is frequently dominated by entropy with the interaction energy playing a minor role. In the absence of an energy scale, the corresponding forces are then governed by the thermal energy scale kT and by the length scales associated with the experimental set-up. Recent advances in single molecule manipulation techniques have brought the accuracy of position and force determination into the range where the measurement of relatively small deformations becomes possible. In these situations the detailed shape of probes to which the molecule is attached must be taken into account. I will discuss the influence of probe shapes on the elastic properties of polymers
