Counterion-Mediated Attraction between Two Like-Charged Rods

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Abstract
We present a systematic theoretical approach to counterion-mediated interactions between like-charged rigid polymers, by treating condensed and free counterions as separate species in chemical equilibrium. We find that the condensed counterions introduce charge fluctuations along the length of the rods that give rise to attractive interactions, in quantitative agreement with recent simulations. This is similar to the van der Waals interaction, except that all multipoles, not just dipoles, must be included.