Rouse model

The Rouse model describes the conformational dynamics of an ideal chain.

In this model, the single chain diffusion is represented by Brownian motion of beads connected by harmonic springs.

[2] An important extension to include hydrodynamic interactions mediated by the solvent between different parts of the chain was worked out by Bruno Zimm in 1956.

[2] In a polymer melt, the Rouse model correctly predicts long-time diffusion only for chains shorter than the entanglement length.

For long chains with noticeable entanglement, the Rouse model holds only up to a crossover time τe.

schematic view of the Rouse model with beads (blue circles) and springs connecting them (grey) for N=13 beads and an average distance l between them