On chirality and length-dependent potentials in polymer entanglements

The lineal structure of an entangled polymer of length L is simulated by a potential, V=f˙(s)ϑ, where, f˙=df/ds, 0⩽s⩽L, and f(s) a modulating function. Entanglement probabilities calculated for two cases, (a) f(s)=kcos(νs), and (b) f(s)=ksp, show a significant influence of chirality or “handedness”.