Statistical theory of chain scission and concurrent damage not associated with chain scission in linear polymers

A statistical theory of the parallel accumulation of randomly placed breaks and damage not associated with breaks in linear polymers is presented. Expressions for the weight fraction of polymer in the form of chains that bear n or more sites of nonbreak damage (markers) are developed, and results of numerical computations with them presented. The effects of polydispersity in the undamaged sample are discussed. The relation of the computed quantities to experimental methods used in the study of damage to nucleic acids due to radiation and chemical exposure is discussed.