New strategy of nanolithography via controlled block copolymer self-assembly

The self-assembly of block copolymer–homopolymer blends in bulk, as well as under the direction of periodic patterned surfaces, has been investigated by computer simulations of the time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau theory. Specifically, a small amount of homopolymers are added to regulate the spontaneous nucleation rate and substrate patterns are designed to control the position and orientation of the induced nuclei. The mechanism, validity and …