najoNanosystems: Physics, Chemistry, MathematicsНаносистемы: физика, химия, математика2220-80542305-7971Университет ИТМОnajo-1345Research ArticlePHYSICSФИЗИКАStepwise conformation transitions for a semi-stiff ring polymer confined in a conical trap induced by the increasing external field or by cone's opening angle variationSiretskiyA.

Dept. of Informational Technology, SE-751 05, Uppsala

alexey.siretskiy@it.uu.seElvingsonC.

Dept. of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry P.O. Box 523, SE-751 20, Uppsala

christer.elvingson@kemi.uu.seVorontsov-VelyaminovP.

Dept. of Molecular Biophysical, Physical Faculty, 198504, Saint-Petersburg

voron.wgroup@gmail.comUppsala UniversitySwedenSaint Petersburg UniversityRussian Federation20132208202542225235Copyright © Siretskiy A., Elvingson C., Vorontsov-Velyaminov P., 20252025Siretskiy A., Elvingson C., Vorontsov-Velyaminov P.Siretskiy A., Elvingson C., Vorontsov-Velyaminov P.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://nanojournal.ifmo.ru/jour/article/view/1345

In this paper a stepwise compaction process of a ring semi-stiff polymer chain placed in a 3d conical nano-cavity and being under the action of the increasing external field is studied. Compaction from a circle like shape to several toroidal-like loops for a three-dimensional system was observed. The thermodynamic stability of these toroidal-like structures was investigated by observing a hysteresis of the compaction extension curves. This study extends our previous work [1] with investigation of the effect of the cone opening angle variation on the distinct shape transitions.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.