Topological solitons in spiral polymeric macromolecules: A chain surrounded by immovable neighbors - art. no. 224303

摘要

We present a numerical study of the existence and stability of topological solitons in helix polymeric macromolecules. It is shown on the example of polytetrafluoroethylene molecule that if taking into account deformations of valence bonds, torsion, and valence angles as well as interactions with neighbor chains, four types of localized defects can be revealed. One of them possesses a finite velocity spectrum in a subsonic region. Other defects are subjected to pinning and their mobility is manifested in thermally activated random jumps. Existence of four types of topological solitons is caused by chirality of the chain. We have shown the stability of solitons with respect to thermal vibrations of macromolecule. Accumulation of a solitonlike excitation near phase-transition temperature is observed. The appearance of localized oscillatory modes in the vicinity of topological solitons is predicted. [References: 26]