Statistical Mechanics of Polymer Models

The standard models used in the statistical mechanics of polymers are combinatorial structures such as self-avoiding walks, lattice polygons and lattice trees. These systems have been studied by combinatorial and probabilistic approaches, by numerical methods including Monte Carlo techniques, and using a variety of techniques from statistical mechanics. There are many challenging open questions, partly motivated by problems from molecular biology, especially for the more physically relevant models in low dimensions. These include questions about entanglement complexity of ring polymers, phase transitions such as polymer adsorption and polymer collapse, and extensions to random copolymers.

The aim of the workshop is to bring together researchers in this area to review progress in the field and to investigate promising new approaches. Invitees will include people working in combinatorics, knot theory, probability and statistical mechanics. In particular we intend to bring together people whose backgrounds are in physics and mathematics, to induce some cross-fertilization, and to make them aware of advances in the subject which have occurred in different fields.

FUNDING: Partial funding for travel support is available from PMMB for a limited number of mathematics graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the USA and Canada who are interested in learning about research at the interface between mathematics and biology. Applications for these travel funds should be directed to Professor C.E. Soteros, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3H6, Canada, soteros@math.usask.ca. Applications should include a covering letter outlining research interests, a short CV and a letter of recommendation from a research supervisor. The DEADLINE for applications for funding is 15 October 2002.

Confirmed Participants

Programme (PDF)

Workshop Report (PDF)

Videos

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