  We investigate the internal structure of a polymer during collapse from an
expanded coil to a compact globule. Collapse is more probable in local regions
of high curvature, so a smoothing of the fractal polymer structure occurs that
proceeds systematically from the shortest to the longest length scales. A
proposed universal scaling relationship is tested by comparison with Monte
Carlo simulations. We speculate that the universal form applies to various
fractal systems with local processes that promote smoothness over time. The
results complement earlier work showing that on the macroscale polymer collapse
proceeds by driven diffusion of the polymer ends.
