Undulation instability in block-copolymer lamellae subjected to a perpendicular electric field

Matsen, M. W. (2006) Undulation instability in block-copolymer lamellae subjected to a perpendicular electric field. Soft Matter, 2 (12). pp. 1048-1056. ISSN 1744-683X

Abstract/Summary

We examine the stability of lamellar stacks in the presence of an electric field, E-0, applied normal to the lamellae. Calculations are performed with self-consistent field theory (SCFT) supplemented by an exact treatment of the electrostatic energy for linear dielectric materials. The calculations identify a critical electric field, E-0*, beyond which the lamellar stack becomes unstable with respect to undulations. This E-0* rapidly decreases towards zero as the number of lamellae in the stack diverges. Our quantitative predictions for E-0* are consistent with previous experimental measurements by Xu and co-workers.