The universal trend of the non-exponential Rouse mode relaxation in polymer systems: a theoretical interpretation based on a generalized Langevin equation

We show that the universal behavior of the Rouse-mode relaxation in polymer systems - which has been recently reported from experimental data [S. Arrese-Igor, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2014, 113, 078302] - can be quantitatively explained in the framework of a theoretical approach based on: (i) a generalized Langevin equation formalism and (ii) a memory function which takes into account the coupling between intra-chain dynamics and collective dynamics. This approach opens the way for generalizing the magnitudes probing chain dynamics in polymer systems.