Conformational properties of the lattice model of a polymer chain in an orienting field of quadrupole symmetry

Abstract With various types of lattice models of polymer chains, the changes in the conformational characteristics were studied for a chain placed in an orienting field of quadrupolar symmetry (including liquid-crystalline systems). Orientational correlation functions were obtained for segments mutually distant along the chain. The anisotropy of the chain (relation of the mean-square dimensions along and across the field) was followed for the quadrupolar field. Increasing strength of the orienting field results in an exponential growth of the persistent length or of the statistical segment in the direction of the field symmetry axis—the effect of induced rigidity enhancement occurs, and the transverse persistent length decreaes. The change in the content of extended and coiled conformers during chain orientation was followed.