Monte Carlo simulation study of diblock copolymer self assembly

Abstract

A technique is presented which maps the parameters of a bead spring model, using the Flory Huggins theory, to a specific experimental system. By keeping only necessary details, for the description of these systems, the mapping procedure turns into an estimation of a few characteristic parameters. An asset of this technique is that it is simple to apply and captures the behavior of block copolymer phase separation. In our study this mapping technique is utilized in conjunction with a Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm to perform simulations on block copolymer systems. The microphase separation is investigated in the bulk and under confinement, on unpatterned and patterned surfaces.