CHAIN DIMENSIONS OF A POLYMER CONFINED BETWEEN 2 INTERACTING PLATES

The chain dimensions of a polymer confined between two plates, and int eracting with them, are herein studied.The contribution of the exclude d volume interaction is evaluated using the mean field theory as origi nated by Flory. The expansion factor Perpendicular to the plate, alpha (z) increases monotonously with the distance between the Plates, D, wh en the polymer plate interaction, W, is repellent. However alpha(z) de creases abruptly with increasing D when W is attractive. This. transit ion corresponds to the conformational change between the bridge type a nd the loop type of conformation. The parallel component of the expans ion factor, alpha(x) decreases with increasing D when W is repellent. At the transition, alpha(x) increases abruptly.