Fluctuation effects and the stability of the Fddd network phase in diblock copolymer melts

Abstract

We examine the effect of composition fluctuations on the stability of the orthorhombic Fddd network phase in the diblock copolymer melt phase diagram within the self-consistent Hartree approximation to the Landau-Brazovskii theory. For weak fluctuations, the Fddd structure is an equilibrium phase; however, stronger fluctuations render this phase metastable. These results suggest a reinterpretation of a recent experiment beyond mean-field theory. Fluctuations may also explain why an equilibrium Fddd phase is not generally observed in analogous self-assembling systems.