MONTE CARLO STUDIES OF IDEAL MULTI-BRANCHED POLYMERS

Many polymer properties are altered by branching. Monte Carlo computer simulation is a useful tool for exploring these changes. This paper examines one, two, and three-junction ideal polymers. The current simulations are in fine agreement with theoretical and other simulation studies. This area of polymer science provides a store of possible student projects. In order to work in this field, students need to master both computer programming and statistics.