Knot complexity and the probability of random knotting
- 14 October 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review E
- Vol. 66 (4) , 040801
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.66.040801
Abstract
The probability of a random polygon (or a ring polymer) having a knot type K should depend on the complexity of the knot K. Through computer simulation using knot invariants, we show that the knotting probability decreases exponentially with respect to knot complexity. Here we assume that some aspects of knot complexity are expressed by the minimal crossing number C and the “rope length” of K, which is defined by the smallest length of rope with unit diameter that can be tied to make the knot K.Keywords
All Related Versions
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Crossings and writhe of flexible and ideal knotsPhysical Review E, 2001
- Thickness of knotsTopology and its Applications, 1999
- Topological effects on statics and dynamics of knotted polymersPhysical Review E, 1998
- Asymptotics of knotted lattice polygonsJournal of Physics A: General Physics, 1998
- Universality of random knottingPhysical Review E, 1997
- Geometry and physics of knotsNature, 1996
- Topological Effects of Knots in PolymersPhysical Review Letters, 1994
- Knottedness in ring polymersPhysical Review Letters, 1991
- Increased production of a knotted form of plasmid pBR322 DNA in Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase mutantsJournal of Molecular Biology, 1987
- Topological constraints on polymer rings and critical indicesJournal de Physique, 1979