Quantization of energy and writhe in self-repelling knots

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_447497EF5428
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Quantization of energy and writhe in self-repelling knots
Journal
New Journal of Physics
Author(s)
Hoidn P., Kusner R.B., Stasiak A.
ISSN
1367-2630
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2002
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
4
Pages
20.1-20.11
Language
english
Notes
Publication type : Article
Abstract
Probably the most natural energy functional to be considered for knotted strings is that given by electrostatic repulsion. In the absence of counter-charges, a charged, knotted string evolving along the energy gradient of electrostatic repulsion would progressively tighten its knotted domain into a point on a perfectly circular string. However, in the presence of charge screening self-repelling knotted strings can be stabilized. It is known that energy functionals in which repulsive forces between repelling charges grow inversely proportionally to the third or higher power of their relative distance stabilize self-repelling knots. Especially interesting is the case of the third power since the repulsive energy becomes scale invariant and does not change upon Mobius transformations (reflections in spheres) of knotted trajectories. We observe here that knots minimizing their repulsive Mobius energy show quantization of the energy and writhe (measure of chirality) within several tested families of knots.
Keywords
SHAPES, LINKS
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
11/03/2010 11:59
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:48
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