Rapid transitions between defect configurations in a block copolymer melt.
With in situ scanning force microscopy, we image the ordering of cylindrical microdomains in a thin film of a diblock copolymer melt. Tracking the evolution of individual defects reveals elementary steps of defect motion via interfacial undulations and repetitive transitions between distinct defect configurations on a time scale of tens of seconds. The velocity of these transitions suggests a cooperative movement of clusters of chains. The activation energy for the opening/closing of a connection between two cylinders is estimated.
Tsarkova
Larisa
L
Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Bayreuth, Germany. larisa.tsarkova@uni-bayreuth.de
Knoll
Armin
A
Magerle
Robert
R
D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
D011108:Polymers