Concentration fluctuation of stiff polymers. III. Spinodal decomposition

Abstract

We discuss the dynamics of the formation of liquid crystalline phase of rod-like polymer solutions, particularly the behavior of spinodal decomposition which should be observed when the system is suddenly brought into a thermodynamically unstable region. The growth rate of the concentration fluctuation is calculated as a function of the wave number. It is shown that these growth rates are governed by the translational motion, not the rotational motion. The dynamical structure factor in the isotropic phase is also calculated.