A novel Monte Carlo scheme for the rapid equilibration of atomistic model polymer systems of precisely defined molecular architecture.

Two novel connectivity-altering atomistic Monte Carlo moves are presented for the fast equilibration of condensed phases of long-chain systems with a variety of chain architectures. With the new moves, isotropic or oriented melts of linear or long-chain branched polymers, dense brushes of terminally grafted macromolecules, and cyclic peptides can be simulated. Results concerning the structural, conformational, and volumetric properties of linear, monodisperse polyethylene melts, simulated with a new united-atom molecular model, are in excellent agreement with experimental data.