dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaThe Isotropic to Nematic Liquid Crystalline Phase Transition of F-actin Varies from Continuous to First Order
| Authors | Jorge Viamontes, Patrick W. Oakes, Jay X. Tang |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0604212 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0604212 |
| DOI | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.118103 |
Abstract
We report that the properties of the isotropic to nematic liquid crystalline phase transition of F-actin depend critically on the average filament length. For average filament lengths longer than 2 $\mu$m, we confirm previous findings that the phase transition is continuous in both alignment and concentration. For average filament lengths shorter than 2 $\mu$m, we show for the first time a first order transition with a clear discontinuity in both alignment and concentration. Tactoidal droplets of coexisting isotropic and nematic phases, differing in concentration by approximately 30%, form over the course of hours and appear to settle into near equilibrium metastable states.
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"abstract": "We report that the properties of the isotropic to nematic liquid crystalline\nphase transition of F-actin depend critically on the average filament length.\nFor average filament lengths longer than 2 $\\mu$m, we confirm previous findings\nthat the phase transition is continuous in both alignment and concentration.\nFor average filament lengths shorter than 2 $\\mu$m, we show for the first time\na first order transition with a clear discontinuity in both alignment and\nconcentration. Tactoidal droplets of coexisting isotropic and nematic phases,\ndiffering in concentration by approximately 30%, form over the course of hours\nand appear to settle into near equilibrium metastable states.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0604212",
"authors": [
"Jorge Viamontes",
"Patrick W. Oakes",
"Jay X. Tang"
],
"categories": [
"physics.bio-ph"
],
"doi": "10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.118103",
"title": "The Isotropic to Nematic Liquid Crystalline Phase Transition of F-actin Varies from Continuous to First Order",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0604212"
},
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