Abstract
We present a revised theoretical study of statistical properties of semiflexible filaments. Using a single auxiliary field and mean-field theory, we succeed in obtaining the exact analytical results for force–extension relations for a chain with arbitrary stiffness, and compare it with earlier theories and experiment. At a small persistence-to-contour length ratio, lp/L ≪ 1 the chain behaves classically, as an entropic spring. However, we find a critical value for L/lp ≈ 3.0 in 3D (or L/lp ≈ 5.4 in 2D) above which the restoring force of the chain becomes negative for the end-to-end distance (or ). That is, very stiff (or very short) chains and filaments resist an attempt to reduce their preferred end-to-end distance as much as to stretch it.
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