Determine the strength of soft bonds

Abstract

The strength of a simple soft bond under constant loading rate is studied theoretically. We find a scaling regime where rebinding is negligible and the rupture force of the bond scales as $const. + (\ln (kv))^{2/3}$, where $kv$ is the loading rate. The scaling regime is smaller for weaker bonds and broader for stronger bonds. For loading rate beyond the upper limit of the scaling regime, bond rupture is deterministic and thermal effects are negligible. For loading rate below the lower limit of the scaling regime, contribution from rebinding becomes important, and there is no simple scaling relation between rupture force and loading rate. When we extend the theory to include the effect of rebinding we find good agreement between theory and simulation even below the scaling regime.