Diffusion of topological solitons and dielectric alpha(c) relaxation in a polymeric crystal

A molecular dynamics simulation was performed to estimate the effective mass and the diffusion and friction coefficients of point defects in macromolecular chains of crystalline polyethylene. The results were compared with theoretical mass and kinetic coefficient predictions for topological solitons, with which these defects were identified. The results are used to discuss the soliton model of dielectric alpha(c) relaxation in weakly oxidized polyethylene. (C) 2002 MAIK Nauka / Interperiodica.