Quantitative study of temperature-dependent order in thin films of cylindrical morphology block copolymer

POSTER

Abstract

Disordering and defect generation in block copolymer systems at high temperatures is of significance to get a better understanding of the physics governing these systems, which can also direct efforts to minimize them. We have studied the smectic-nematic-isotropic transition in confined monolayers and bilayers of cylindrical morphology poly (styrene-b-2vinyl pyridine) diblock copolymer. Previous studies of melting phenomena in block copolymer thin films have relied on quantitative AFM studies alone. We have supplemented AFM studies with grazing incidence small angle X-ray diffraction lineshape analysis to quantify the decay of translational and orientational order with increasing temperature. The results have been interpreted in the context of the Toner-Nelson theory of melting for layered systems.

Authors

  • Vindhya Mishra

    University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Edward Kramer

    MC-CAM and the Departments of Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of California Santa Barbara, UCSB, University of California, Santa Barbara, Department of Materials and Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Materials Research Laboratory UCSB, Materials Department UCSB, Materials Research Laboratory and Materials Department, UCSB, UC Santa Barbara, Material Research Lab, UC Santa Barbara