Dynamics of Rayleigh-like Instability Induced by Laser Tweezers in Tubular Vesicles of Self-Assembled Membranes

We present a theoretical study of the Rayleigh-like, "pearling", instability recently observed in tubular vesicles of bilayer membranes under the action of optical tweezers. The tweezers are argued to pull the membrane into their operation zone, thereby inducing a tension m it. Consequently, the membrane can respond in a Rayleigh-like instability, m which its area decreases. Our approach is based on a linear stability analysis of the deformations. However, because of the non-linear coupling existing between the suction process and the growth of the unstable modes, the instability develops different characteristics At long times the growth of the instability is controlled by the suction rate of the tweezers, assumed constant m time The wavelength J* of the most unstable mode is time-dependent at short times it decreases as -~ t~~/~~ at long times it is either constant, of the order of the tube radius R, or increases