CRUMPLED-TO-TUBULE TRANSITION AND SHAPE TRANSFORMATIONS OF A MODEL OF SELF-AVOIDING SPHERICAL MESHWORK

Abstract

This paper analyzes a new self-avoiding (SA) meshwork model using the canonical Monte Carlo (MC) simulation technique on lattices that consist of connection-fixed triangles. The Hamiltonian of this model includes a SA potential and a pressure term. The model identifies a crumpled-to-tubule (CT) transition between the crumpled and tubular phases. This is a second-order transition, which occurs when the pressure difference between the inner and outer sides of the surface is close to zero. We obtain the Flory swelling exponents [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] corresponding to the mean square radius of gyration [Formula: see text] and enclosed volume V, where Df is the fractal dimension. The analysis shows that [Formula: see text] at the transition is almost identical to the one of the smooth phase of previously reported SA model which has no crumpled phase.