Scaling and hydrodynamic effects in lamellar ordering

Abstract

We study the kinetics of domain growth of fluid mixtures quenched from a disordered to a lamellar phase. At low viscosities, in two dimensions, when hydrodynamic modes become important, dynamical scaling is verified in the form $C(\vec k, t) \sim L^{\alpha} f[(k-k_M)L]$ where $C$ is the structure factor with maximum at $k_M$ and $L$ is a typical length changing from power law to logarithmic growth at late times. The presence of extended defects can explain the behavior of $L$. Three-dimensional simulations confirm that diffuse grain boundaries inhibit complete ordering of lamellae. Applied shear flow alleviates frustration and gives power-law growth at all times.