Topology-Driven Dynamical Arrest in Polymer Knots

Knots are entangled structures that cannot be untangled without a cut. Topological stability of knots is one of the many examples of their important properties that can be used in information storage and transfer. Knot dynamics is important for understanding general principles of entanglement as knots provide an isolated system where tangles are highly controlled and easily manipulated. To unravel the dynamics of these entangled topological objects, the first step is to identify the dominant motions that are uniquely guided by knot structure and its complexity. We identify and classify motions into three main groups– orthogonal, aligned, and mixed motions, that often act in unison, orchestrating the complex dynamics of knots. The balance between these motions is what creates an identifiable signature for every knot. As knot complexity increases, the carefully orchestrated dynamics is gradually silenced, eventually reaching a state of topologically driven dynamical arrest. Together, these findings demonstrate a link between topology and dynamics presenting applications to nanoscale materials.