FLEXIBLE MICELLES AND THE N-]0 VECTOR SPIN MODEL

We show how the n --> 0 vector spin model is especially naturally suited for treating the solution properties of flexible, cylindrical micelles. In particular, an isomorphism is established between coupling constants in the spin Hamiltonian and surfactant energies in the micellar situation. The appropriately generalized n --> 0 vector spin model is then solved in mean field approximation and shown to describe the phenomenon of micellar growth at low concentrations and crossover through the semidilute regime. Osmotic pressure and average aggregation number are calculated as a function of concentration, and our basic approach is compared and contrasted with those for ''ordinary'' and ''living'' polymer solutions.