Simulation studies of polymer translocation through a channel.

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulation studies of the translocation of homopolymers of length N driven through a channel have been performed. We find that the translocation time tau depends on temperature in a nontrivial way. For temperatures below some critical temperature theta(c), tau approximately T-1.4, whereas for T>theta(c), tau increases with temperature. The low temperature results are in good agreement with experimental findings as is the dependence of tau on the driving field strength. The velocity of translocation displays the same characteristics as found in experiment but the N dependence of tau shows the linear relationship observed in experiment only for large values of N. A possible reason for this is suggested.