(532e) Directed Self-Assembling of Block Copolymers On Topological Substrates: A Monte Carlo Simulation

Block copolymers have been studied as templates for nano-devices for decades. Although ordered nanostructures have been discovered in block copolymers, the orientation of the structures becomes random at long-range without induction by external forces. According to the bottom-up features of block copolymers, designed topological templates can play a role to control the growth of microdomains and to obtain required structures. We have addressed these issues using coarse-grain lattice models of block copolymers and bond fluctuation Monte Carlo techniques. Both of asymmetric and symmetric block copolymers have been studied. In our simulations, a number of highly ordered structures such as p6mm packed structures, p4mm packed structures and frame structures have been identified. The simulation results not only match the experimental findings, but also identify some new structures, which are potentially interesting for nanoscale templates in circuitry, magnetic storage and other nano-devices.