The curvature elasticity of fluid membranes : A catalogue of vesicle shapes

H.J. Deuling , W. Helfrich

Shapes of closed fluid membranes such as those formed by lecithin in water were calculated as a function of enclosed volume, membrane area and spontaneous curvature. As the area can be taken to be constant, the only elasticity controlling the shapes of these vesicles is that of curvature. A large variety of rotationally symmetric shapes are presented, allowing for indentations, cavities and contact of the membrane with itself.

Mots clés: elasticity; lipid bilayers

Domaines: Articles anciens

H.J. Deuling, W. Helfrich. The curvature elasticity of fluid membranes : A catalogue of vesicle shapes. Journal de Physique, 1976, 37 (11), pp.1335-1345. ⟨10.1051/jphys:0197600370110133500⟩. ⟨jpa-00208531⟩