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Macroscopically ordered hexagonal arrays by directed self-assembly of block copolymers with minimal topographic
Jaewon Choi1, Ilja Gunkel, Yinyong Li
1Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. krcarter@polysci.umass.edu russell@mail.pse.umass.edu.
Nanoscale
|September 27, 2017
Summary
Directed self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) using minimal trench patterns creates macroscopically ordered hexagonal arrays. These arrays exhibit specific orientation but show distortions due to limited confinement and pattern incommensurability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Block copolymers (BCPs) are crucial for creating nanoscale patterns.
- Directed self-assembly (DSA) offers a route to control BCP morphology.
- Minimal trench patterns are explored for guiding BCP self-assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple and robust method for generating macroscopically ordered hexagonal arrays.
- To investigate the ordering and orientation of cylindrical microdomains in BCPs using minimal trench patterns.
- To understand the factors causing distortions in self-assembled hexagonal arrays.
Main Methods:
- Utilized directed self-assembly (DSA) of cylinder-forming block copolymers (BCPs).
- Employed minimal trench patterns and solvent vapor annealing.
- Analyzed guided hexagonal arrays using grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS).
Main Results:
- Successfully generated macroscopically ordered hexagonal arrays (∼1 × 1 cm²).
- Observed orientation of (10) planes parallel to the trench direction.
- Identified distortions and short-range misorientations in hexagonal arrays.
- Attributed distortions to lack of confinement and BCP-trench pitch incommensurability.
Conclusions:
- Minimal trench patterns enable macroscopic ordering of BCP hexagonal arrays.
- Distortions arise from incomplete topographic constraints and frustrated self-assembly.
- The method provides insights into controlling nanoscale BCP structures.
