Conformational state relaxation in polymers: Time-correlation functions

Abstract

A study is made of relaxation processes in polymer molecules which proceed via conformational transitions of the chain backbone from one rotational isomeric state to another. The conformational time-correlation functions are determined for several models of the process. Each model allows for the occurrence of both independent and cooperative conformational transitions. The resulting correlation functions contain a modified Bessel function which is associated with the diffusional nature of the process. This functional form has recently proven useful in fitting time-correlation functions determined in polymer simulations, which indicates that it will be of value in fitting data obtained in relaxation experiments on polymers.