Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 058301 (2002) [4 pages]Molecular Observation of Contour-Length Fluctuations Limiting Topological Confinement in Polymer MeltsReceived 19 October 2001; published 17 January 2002 In order to study the mechanisms limiting the topological chain confinement in polymer melts, we have performed neutron-spin-echo investigations of the single-chain dynamic-structure factor from polyethylene melts over a large range of chain lengths. While at high molecular weight the reptation model is corroborated, a systematic loosening of the confinement with decreasing chain length is found. The dynamic-structure factors are quantitatively described by the effect of contour-length fluctuations on the confining tube, establishing this mechanism on a molecular level in space and time. © 2002 The American Physical Society URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.058301
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.058301
PACS:
83.80.Sg, 61.12.-q
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