NATURE OF ANISOTROPIC FLUCTUATION MODES IN ORDERED POLYMERIC PHASES

The nature of anisotropic fluctuation modes in an ordered polymeric sy stem is analysed using general symmetry arguments. It is shown that th e anisotropic fluctuation modes in a periodic phase can be classified using a wave vector within the irreducible Brillouin zone and a band i ndex. The spatial profiles of the fluctuation modes are described by B loch functions which are plane waves modulated by periodic functions. These general statements enable the study of the stability and kinetic pathway of complex ordered polymeric structures. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.