Cell dynamics simulations of shear-induced alignment and defect annihilation in stripe patterns formed by block copolymers - art. no. 041503

The effect of large amplitude oscillatory shear on two-dimensional stripe p atterns formed by block copolymers was investigated using cell dynamics sim ulations. A global orientational order parameter S and a correlation functi on for stripe normals G(r-r') were used to characterize the degree of strip e orientation under hear. The kinetics of stripe alignment, quantified by S . at various shear and quench conditions were studied as a function of stra in amplitude, shear frequency, and temperature. The mechanisms of shear ali gnment and defect annihilation were investigated. A critical shear conditio n for complete alignment of stripes along the shear direction was also iden tified.