Structural dynamics and optimal transport of an active polymer

Abstract

We study the spontaneous configuration transitions of an active semi-flexible polymer between spiral and non-spiral states, and show that the configuration dynamics is fully described by a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation. Exploiting the fact that an active polymer barely moves in spiral states and exhibits net displacements in non-spiral states, we theoretically prove that the motion of the active polymer is consistent with a run-and-tumble-like dynamics. Moreover, we find that there exists an optimal self-propelling force that maximizes the diffusion coefficient.