Molecular Deformation of Polymers in Concentrated Solutions

When a concentrated polymer solution is macroscopically deformed, the average shape of individual polymers is also deformed from the equilibrium form. This molecular deformation, which can be experimentally measured by neutron scattering, is discussed theoretically on the basis of the tube model. A new formulation is given for calculating the average shape of polymers in non-equilibrium state. As an example, the deformation of polymers under steady shear flow, and elongational flow is predicted.