Dynamical eigenmodes of a polymerized membrane

Abstract

We study the bead-spring model for a polymerized phantom membrane in the overdamped limit, which is the two-dimensional generalization of the well-known Rouse model for polymers. We derive the exact eigenmodes of the membrane dynamics (the 'Rouse modes'). This allows us to obtain exact analytical expressions for virtually any equilibrium or dynamical quantity for the membrane. As examples we determine the radius of gyration, the mean-square displacement of a tagged bead, and the autocorrelation function of the difference vector between two tagged beads. Interestingly, even in the presence of tensile forces of any magnitude the Rouse modes remain the exact eigenmodes for the membrane. With stronger forces the membrane becomes essentially flat, and does not get the opportunity to intersect itself; in such a situation our analysis provides a useful and exactly solvable approach to the dynamics for a realistic model flat membrane under tension.