Optimal shapes of compact strings

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dc.creatorMaritan, Amos
dc.creatorMicheletti, Cristian
dc.creatorTrovato, Antonio
dc.creatorBanavar, Jayanth R.
dc.date2000-10-16
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T02:39:00Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T02:39:00Z
dc.descriptionOptimal geometrical arrangements, such as the stacking of atoms, are of relevance in diverse disciplines. A classic problem is the determination of the optimal arrangement of spheres in three dimensions in order to achieve the highest packing fraction; only recently has it been proved that the answer for infinite systems is a face-centred-cubic lattice. This simply stated problem has had a profound impact in many areas, ranging from the crystallization and melting of atomic systems, to optimal packing of objects and subdivision of space. Here we study an analogous problem--that of determining the optimal shapes of closely packed compact strings. This problem is a mathematical idealization of situations commonly encountered in biology, chemistry and physics, involving the optimal structure of folded polymeric chains. We find that, in cases where boundary effects are not dominant, helices with a particular pitch-radius ratio are selected. Interestingly, the same geometry is observed in helices in naturally-occurring proteins.
dc.description8 pages, 3 composite ps figures
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0010210
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0010210
dc.identifierNature, vol. 406, pp. 287-290 (2000)
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/16892
dc.subjectSoft Condensed Matter
dc.subjectStatistical Mechanics
dc.subjectBiomolecules
dc.titleOptimal shapes of compact strings
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