We propose a microscopic model of a chiral polymer chain with permanent transverse dipoles interacting with an external electric
field. Its behaviour has been investigated by computer simulation in the limit of weak chirality. Large-scale (tertiary) helical
winding induced along the field direction has been found above a threshold field Ec, and the helix parameters have been calculated as functions of the field strength. Below Ec there is no coherent helical structure of the chain conformation. We find a characteristic scaling of the threshold and the
winding radius a with the chain bending modulus , and .
Received: 15 November 1997 / Accepted: 16 February 1998