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Free keywords:
pearl-necklaces; polyelectrolytes; molecular dynamics
Abstract:
We present recent simulations on charged polymers in poor solvent in the dilute concentration range, with and without imposed extension constraints. The resulting pearl-necklace polymer conformations are analyzed in detail. We find strong pearl number and size fluctuations leading only to minimal signatures in the form factor and the force-extension relation. We see no sign of instability of the pearl-necklaces due to counterion condensation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.