Theory of Transient Localization, Activated Dynamics, and a Macromolecular Glass Transition in Ring Polymer Liquids

We construct a segmental scale force level theory for the center-of-mass diffusion constant and corresponding relaxation time for globally compact unconcatenated ring polymer solutions and melts (degree of polymerization N). The approach is based on slowly decaying macromolecular scale intermolecular force dynamic correlations as the origin of their unusual dynamics. Unentangled Rouse, weakly caged, and activated regimes are predicted. The...