RESUMO
Bethe-Peierls approximation, as it applies to the thermodynamics of polymer melts, is reviewed. We compare the computed configurational entropy of monodisperse linear polymer melt with Monte Carlo data available in the literature. An estimation of the configurational contribution to the total liquid's C(p) is presented. We also discuss the relation between the Kauzmann paradox and polymer semiflexibility.
RESUMO
We study the distribution function of a three-dimensional wormlike chain with a fixed orientation of one chain end using the exact representation of the distribution function in terms of the Green's function of the quantum rigid rotator in a homogeneous external field. The transverse one-dimensional distribution function of the free chain end displays a bimodal shape in the intermediate range of chain lengths (1.3L{p},...,3.5L{p}). We also present analytical results for short and long chains, which are in complete agreement with the results of previous studies obtained using different methods.