Mode-coupling theory for heteropolymers.
Publication information:
Pitard, E. & Shakhnovich, E. I. Mode-coupling theory for heteropolymers. Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics 63, 041501 (2001).
Abstract
We study the Langevin dynamics of a heteropolymer by means of a mode-coupling approximation scheme, giving rise to a set of coupled integro-differential equations relating the response and correlation functions. The analysis shows that there is a regime at low temperature characterized by out-of-equilibrium dynamics, with violation of time-translational invariance and of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. The onset of aging dynamics at low temperatures gives insight into the nature of the slow dynamics of a disordered polymer. We also introduce a renormalization-group treatment of our mode-coupling equations, which supports our analysis, and might be applicable to other systems.