Polymer Crystallization as the Self-Organization of Chain Macromolecules

M D simulation is used to investigate ther self-organization exhibited by a chain of atoms with strong interaction between nearest neighbours and weak interaction between more distant atoms. It is shown that the supermolecular structure is formed in several steps: at first, an initially straight chain becomes zigzag-shaped, then the zigzag ribbon folds, producing regions of crystalline and amorphous structure; after that the system contracts into a globe, the amorphous-structure regions transforming into crystalline ones by a reptile like motion. A simple analytical description of such polymer structuring is also given.