Controlling block Copolymer Order for Patterning in Two Dimensions

提出了一个实验方案，旨在发现在嵌段共聚物结构域的2D阵列中实现良好的平移和取向有序的方法，这些方法最终可能导致纳米颗粒可以转移到底层基质上。提出了一种辅助自组装方案，其中由光学光刻定义的区域的边缘用于配准和模板化该顺序。重点了解球形区域嵌段共聚物的单层和多层薄膜及其与这些区域的均聚物的熔体中的有序化和无序化过程。虽然大多数实验将使用具有尖锐边缘结构的局部平坦的衬底，但也将探索具有高斯曲率(正和负)的表面上的平衡顺序。辅助自组装也有望用于圆柱形区域嵌段共聚物膜，其中圆柱体垂直于膜表面。在这里，控制它们的圆柱体方向(通过电场或表面相互作用)，同时通过边缘结构保持横向模板是主要的挑战。这些实验将补充与UCSB的Glenn Fredrickson合作的2D嵌段共聚物有序化的现场理论数值模拟。将以多种方式努力让本科生参与研究。有人提议与加州克莱蒙特的本科生机构哈维·穆德学院的教职员工合作，允许他们的本科生从事对这项研究有贡献的高级研究项目。这些学生将有机会接触到UCSB出色的实验设施，以及与UCSB团队定期举行的网络会议。在本学年，UCSB将至少有一名本科生化学工程师参与，并将从UCSB校园的各种REU项目中寻找至少一名夏季参与者。将开发一个网站作为大学和高中教师的学习资源，允许他们使用真实的2D嵌段共聚物阵列结构作为模型系统来教授晶体和缺陷的原理。重点将放在培养研究生的沟通和演讲技能上，特别是在国家甚至国际会议的背景下。对利用这项研究的结果感兴趣的各种工业企业的纳米技术团体有望开展互动。

An experimental program is proposed aimed at discovering methods to achieve good translational and orientational order in 2D arrays of block copolymer domains, methods that could ultimately lead to nanopatterns that could be transferred to underlying substrates. An assisted self-assembly scheme is proposed whereby the edges of regions defined by optical lithography serve to register and template the order. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the ordering and disordering processes in melts of both single layer and multilayer films of spherical domain block copolymers and their belends with homopolymers in such regions. While most experiments will use locally flat substrates with sharp edge structures, the equilibrium order on surfaces with Gaussian curvature (positive and negative) will be explored as well. Assisted self-assembly is also expected to work for cylindrical domain block copolymer films with cylinders normal to the film surface. Here controlling they cylinder orientation (with electric fields or surface interactions) while maintaining lateral templating by edge structures is the major challenge. These experiments will be supplemented with field theoretic numerical simulations of 2D block copolymer ordering in collaboration with Glenn Fredrickson at UCSB. Strong efforts will be made to involve undergraduates in the research in several ways. A partnership is proposed with faculty at Harvey Mudd College, an undergraduate institution in Claremont, CA, that will allow their undergraduates to pursue senior research projects that contribute to this research. These students will have access to the outstanding experimental facilities at UCSB as well as regular Web conferences with the team at UCSB. At least one undergraduate chemical engineer at UCSB will be involved during the academic year and at least one summer participant will be sought from the various REU programs on the UCSB campus. A web site will be developed as a learning resource for college and high school teachers, allowing them to teach the principles of crystals and defects using the real 2D block copolymer array structures as model systems. Strong emphasis will be placed on developing graduate student communication and presentation skills, especially in the context of national and even international meetings. Interactions are expected to develop with nanotechnology groups at various industrial concerns interested in utilizing the results of this research.