Using renormalization-group methods we have obtained the first analytical predictions for the winding-angle distribution of a self-avoiding walk, which can be used to describe the extent to which a long-chain polymer with short-range repulsive interaction wraps around a long straight rod. We find that moments of the winding angle scale asymptotically with the square root of the logarithm of the number of steps in the walk. This is consistent with the numerical results of Fisher, Privman, and Redner and differs qualitatively from the known behavior of the ordinary walk.

• Received 13 August 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.60.712