title: Validity of the scaling functional approach for polymer interfaces as a variational theory.
abstract: We discuss the soundness of the scaling functional (SF) approach proposed by Aubouy Guiselin and Raphaël [Macromolecules 29, 7261 (1996)] to describe polymeric interfaces. In particular, we demonstrate that this approach is a variational theory. We emphasize the role of SF theory as an important link between ground-state theories suitable to describe adsorbed layers, and "classical" theories for polymer brushes.
authors.affiliation: Groupe Théorie, SI3M, UMR 5819 (CEA-CNRS-Université J. Fourier), Département de Recherche Fondamentale sur la Matière Condensée, CEA-Grenoble, 38054 Grenoble 9, France. manghi@theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Manoel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manghi
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aubouy