Issue Europhys. Lett. Volume 64, Number 3, November 2003 Page(s) 420 - 426 Section Interdisciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology DOI 10.1209/epl/i2003-00219-7

DOI: 10.1209/epl/i2003-00219-7
Europhys. Lett., 64 (3) , pp. 420-426 (2003)

Diffusion-limited loop formation of semiflexible polymers: Kramers theory and the intertwined time scales of chain relaxation and closing

S. Jun¹, J. Bechhoefer¹ and B.-Y. Ha<sup>2

1</sup>  Physics Department, Simon Fraser University - Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6, Canada
²  Physics Department, University of Waterloo - Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada

johnb@sfu.ca.
byha@uwaterloo.ca.

(Received 20 June 2003; accepted in final form 26 August 2003)

Abstract
We show that Kramers rate theory gives a straightforward, accurate estimate of the closing time of a semiflexible polymer that is valid in cases of physical interest. The calculation also reveals how the time scales of chain relaxation and closing are intertwined, illuminating an apparent conflict between two ways of calculating in the flexible limit.

PACS
87.15.He - Dynamics and conformational changes.
82.37.Np - Single molecule reaction kinetics, dissociation, etc.
82.20.Pm - Rate constants, reaction cross sections, and activation energies.

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