# Semiflexible discrete polymer chain

Suppose we have a 2D polymer model described by a set of 2D vectors {$\mathbf{t}_i$} ($i=1,2,\dots N$) of length $a$.

The energy of the polymer is given by: $$\mathcal{H}~=~-k\sum^N_{i=1}\mathbf{t}_i\cdot\mathbf{t}_{i+1} ~=~-ka^2\sum^N_{i=1}\cos\phi_i.$$

The constant $k$ is a measure of bending rigidity so that a probability of finding any configuration of the polymer is proportional to $e^{-\frac{\mathcal{H}}{k_BT}}$.

Essentially, this is a discrete version of the wormlike-chain model by Kratky and Porod.

1. What is the expression for propability density $p(\mathbf{R})$, where $\mathbf{R}$ is an end-to-end vector $\sum_i\mathbf{t_i}$, for this model? Let's assume that $N \rightarrow \infty$.

2. How do I find linear force extension relation,when a force $\mathbf{F}$ is applied to the ends of the chain? Let's assume that the force is weak.

3. Can anyone point out useful literature?

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Cool question, +1. I don't know the answer but it looks like the probability distribution should be a function of $|\mathbf{R}|^2$ only, since there are no external fields to break rotational invariance. Maybe try to relate the Hamiltonian to $|\mathbf{R}|^2$. For part 2), once you have the probability distribution p($\mathbf{R}$) you can find the expectation value of the energy $<U(\mathbf{R})>$. This should have a minimum at the equilibrium position. Expand about the minimum to second order; the spring constant is $\partial_R^2<U(\mathbf{R}_0)>$. I look forward to seeing the answer! –  Mark Mitchison Feb 6 '13 at 23:36
Correction: you want to find the minimum of the free energy $F(\mathbf{R}) = <U(\mathbf{R})> - T S(\mathbf{R})$, since your chain is in contact with a heat bath. You can calculate this from the partition function by the usual procedure. –  Mark Mitchison Feb 7 '13 at 0:30
I think $\mathbf{R}$ follows Gaussian distribution with <$\mathbf{R}$> =0 and <$\mathbf{R}^2$> to be determined. Am I right? –  molkee Feb 7 '13 at 3:56
Seems equivalent to asking the magnetization of a classical XY chain. This is certainly well known (and probably amenable to a transfer matrix computation). Or am I missing something? –  Yvan Velenik Feb 7 '13 at 13:01