title: Monte Carlo phase diagram for diblock copolymer melts.
abstract: The phase diagram for diblock copolymer melts is evaluated from lattice-based Monte Carlo simulations using parallel tempering, improving upon earlier simulations that used sequential temperature scans. This new approach locates the order-disorder transition (ODT) far more accurately by the occurrence of a sharp spike in the heat capacity. The present study also performs a more thorough investigation of finite-size effects, which reveals that the gyroid (G) morphology spontaneously forms in place of the perforated-lamellar (PL) phase identified in the earlier study. Nevertheless, there still remains a small region where the PL phase appears to be stable. Interestingly, the lamellar (L) phase next to this region exhibits a small population of transient perforations, which may explain previous scattering experiments suggesting a modulated-lamellar (ML) phase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Reading, RG6 6AX, Whiteknights, Reading, UK. t.m.beardsley@reading.ac.uk
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Beardsley
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Matsen
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D044367:Phase Transition; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers