Summary: Physica A 283 (2000) 1­5
www.elsevier.com/locate/physa
The mean-ÿeld theory for attraction between
like-charged macromolecules
Jeferson J. Arenzona
, Yan Levina;
, Jurgen F. Stilckb
aInstituto de FÃÃsica-UFRGS, CP 15051, 91501-970, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
bInstituto de FÃÃsica-UFF, Av. Litor ^anea, s=n, 24210-340, NiterÃoi, RJ, Brazil
Abstract
A mean-ÿeld theory based on Gibbs­Bogoliubov inequality is constructed to study the interac-
tions between two like-charged polyions. It is shown that contrary to the previously established
paradigm, a properly constructed mean-ÿeld theory can quantitatively account for the attractive
interactions between two like-charged rods. c 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PACS: 61.20.Qg; 61.25.hq
Keywords: Polyelectrolyte solutions; Like-charged macromolecules
One of the most fascinating problems that has recently appeared in the ÿeld of
condensed matter physics is the discovery of attraction between like-charged macro-
molecules [1]. This attraction plays a fundamental role in various biological processes
such as the condensation of DNA [2,3] and the formation of ÿbers composing cellular

Source: Arenzon, Jeferson J. - Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Levin, Yan - Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Collections: Physics