Statistical mechanics with topological constraints: I

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, , Citation S F Edwards 1967 Proc. Phys. Soc. 91 513 DOI 10.1088/0370-1328/91/3/301

0370-1328/91/3/513

Abstract

The entropy of very long flexible molecules in the presence of topological constraints is studied, and a formula deduced which needs the probability that a random walk will have a particular topological specification. Examples are solved, including a plane random walk sweeping out a given angle around a point in the plane which is generalized to three dimensions including the passage of a random walk past many lines in space, and the probability that a random walk will penetrate through or become multiply entangled with a closed ring.

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10.1088/0370-1328/91/3/301