Non-Markovian models of the growth of a polymer chain

Abstract

Using simple exactly solvable models, we show that event-dependent time delays may lead to significant non-Poisson effects in the statistics of polymer chain growth. The results are confirmed by stochastic simulation of various growth scenarios. Our interest in mathematical aspects of non-Markovian growth arises from recent successful application of delayed probability density functions in stochastic modelling of controlled radical polymerization.