STATISTICAL-MECHANICS OF SEMIFLEXIBLE POLYMERS - YESTERDAY, TODAY ANDTOMORROW

Existing models of semiflexible polymers are critically reanalysed. Ne w microscopic and macroscopic models are discussed. Connections are ma de between the traditionally used models (e.g. rotation-isomeric etc.) and those newly introduced. The role of reparametrization invariance in continuous models of semiflexible polymers is elucidated for exampl es of electrostatic rigidity of polyelectrolytes and the structure of nematic-like interpolymer interactions. The delicate interplay between the topology of entanglements and the rigidity is also discussed usin g these new models in connection with the reptation model of de Gennes , Doi and Edwards.