Effect of Anomalous Dynamics on Unbiased Polymer Translocation

In this paper, we investigate the microscopic dynamics of a polymer of length N translocating through a narrow pore. Characterization of its purportedly anomalous dynamics has so far remained incomplete. We show that the polymer dynamics is anomalous until the Rouse time τR ∼ N 1+2ν , with a mean square displacement through the pore consistent with t(1+ν)/(1+2ν), with ν ≈ 0.588 the Flory exponent. This is shown to be directly related to a decay in time of the excess monomer density near the pore as t−(1+ν)/(1+2ν) exp(−t/τR). Beyond the Rouse time translocation becomes diffusive. In consequence of this, the dwell-time τd, the time a translocating polymer typically spends within the pore, scales as N2+ν , in contrast to previous claims.