Based on an analogy between polymer translocation across a free energy barrier associated with polymer worming through a hole and classical nucleation and growth process, the escape time $\tau$ is predicted asymptotically to be $N(N/\rho {)}^{1/3\nu }$. $N$ is the polymer length, $\rho$ is the monomer density prior to escape, and $\nu$ is the radius of gyration exponent. Monte Carlo simulation data collected in the high salt limit ( $\nu \simeq 3/5$) are in agreement with the asymptotic law and provide vivid details of the escape.

• Received 16 August 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.3188