Nonequilibrium dynamics of polymer translocation and straightening

Abstract

When a flexible polymer is sucked into a localized small hole, the chain can initially respond only locally and the sequential nonequilibrium processes follow in line with the propagation of the tensile force along the chain backbone. We analyze this dynamical process by taking the nonuniform stretching of the polymer into account both with and without hydrodynamics interactions. Earlier conjectures on the absorption time are criticized and formulas are proposed together with time evolutions of relevant dynamical variables.