Eur. Phys. J. E 4, 445-449

Helical close packings of ideal ropes

S. Przybyl¹ and P. Pieranski<sup>1, 2

1</sup>  Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60 965 Poznan, Poland
²  Institute of Molecular Physics, Poznan, 60 965 Poznan, Poland

Piotr.Pieranski@put.poznan.pl

(Received 2 November 2000)

Abstract
Closely packed conformations of helices formed on an ideal rope are considered. The pitch vs. radius relations which define a closely packed helix are determined. The relations stem from the turn-to-turn distance and curvature-limiting conditions. Plots of the relations are shown to cross each other. The physical sense of the crossing point is discussed.

PACS
87.16.Ac - Subcellular structure and processes: Theory and modelling; computer simulation.


© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2001