A fluctuation-corrected functional of convex Poisson–Boltzmann theory. (13th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blossey, R; Maggs, A C
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 51:Number 38(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-08-13
• Subjects: soft matter electrostatics -- Poisson–Boltzmann theory -- duality; Mathematical physics -- Periodicals; Statistical physics -- Periodicals; Quantum theory -- Periodicals; Matter -- Properties -- Periodicals; 530.105
• DOI: 10.1088/1751-8121/aad352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8113

Abstract

Abstract: Poisson–Boltzmann theory allows to study soft matter and biophysical systems involving point-like charges of low valencies. The inclusion of fluctuation corrections beyond the mean-field approach typically requires the application of loop expansions around a mean-field solution for the electrostatic potential, or sophisticated variational approaches. Recently, Poisson–Boltzmann theory has been recast, via a Legendre transform, as a mean-field theory involving the dielectric displacement field . In this paper we consider the path integral formulation of this dual theory. Exploiting the transformation between ϕ and, we formulate a dual sine-Gordon field theory in terms of the displacement field and provide a strategy for precise numerical computations of free energies beyond the leading order.