ZB 10 - Soft Condensed Matter (R. Holyst)

Mechanisms for facilitated target location and the optimal number of molecules in the diffusion search process

Author(s): Burdzy, K and Holyst, R
Title: Mechanisms for facilitated target location and the optimal number of molecules in the diffusion search process
Abstract: We investigate the number N of molecules needed to perform independent in order to achieve bonding of a single molecule to a specific in time t(0). For a certain range of values of t(0). an increase N to kN molecules (k>1) results in the decrease of search time from to t(0)/k. In this regime, increasing the number of molecules is an way of speeding up the search process. However when N greater or equal toN(0) (optimal number of N) the reduction of time from to t(0)/k can be achieved only by an exponentially large increase in the number of molecules [}from N to N exp(ck) for some c>0].
Journal: PHYSICAL REVIEW E
Volume: 64
ID: ISI:000169907100088
Year: 2001