Distribution of end-to-end length of an excluded-volume chain

Monte Carlo computations employing a pivot algorithm have been used to obtain rather precise results for a linear bead-straw chain. The results are used to discriminate between several proposals for the asymptotic long-chain universal form of the distribution of the end-to-end length. It is found that a prediction based on the analysis of des Cloizeaux is far superior to other candidates examined. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.