Nonlinear poisson-boltzmann theory for polyelectrolyte solutions: The counterion condensate around a line charge as a δ -function

Abstract

Counterion condensation around a charged cylinder is studied via an absolute upper bound on the radial potential distribution derived from nonlinear Poisson -Boltzmann theory. As the cylinder radius goes to zero, the condensate collapses into a δ-function encapsulating the charged line.