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Imaging nanoscale spatio-temporal thermal fluctuations.

P S Crider¹, N E Israeloff

¹Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

|May 11, 2006

Summary

Researchers imaged electric polarization fluctuations in polymer films near the glass transition. Spatial fluctuations matched thermal predictions, while temporal fluctuations emerged at the glass transition, revealing nanoscale dynamics.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Physics
Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

Understanding the glass transition in polymers is crucial for material properties.
Nanoscale dynamics near the glass transition influence material behavior.
Electric polarization plays a key role in polymer film functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

To image and analyze spatial and temporal fluctuations of electric polarization in polymer thin films.
To investigate the dynamics of polymer films near the glass transition temperature.
To compare experimental observations with theoretical predictions for thermal fluctuations.

Main Methods:

Utilized electric force microscopy (EFM) to probe nanoscale electric polarization.
Imaged fluctuations in polymer thin films below and near the glass transition temperature.

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Analyzed space-time dynamics of electric polarization at the nanoscale.

Main Results:

Observed quasi-static spatial fluctuations below the glass transition.
Found quantitative agreement between spatial fluctuations and thermal fluctuation predictions.
Detected the emergence of temporal fluctuations as the glass transition is approached.

Conclusions:

Spatial fluctuations are governed by thermal effects below the glass transition.
Temporal fluctuations become significant near the glass transition, indicating dynamic changes.
EFM provides insights into the space-time dynamics of polymer films at the glass transition.