X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy studies of the dynamics of self-assembling block copolymer structures

Several improvements presented to the emerging technique of X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy. These improvements enabled the study of polymer structures, in particular isotropic sponge phases of homo-polymer block copolymer mixtures. An analysis is presented on how to optimize the experimental beamline configuration for achieving the best possible signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) experiments. A new, fast x-ray detector system is developed for high-throughput, high-sensitivity, time-resolved, x-ray scattering and imaging experiments, most especially x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). The new detector is characterized in detail, and its performance is evaluated in terms of its signal to noise ratio. Data analysis and photon discrimination techniques are discussed in conjunction with the high data rates this detector produces. The improved detector is capable of collecting the same quality XPCS data in fifty times shorter time than previously available detectors. Detailed characterization of polystyrene ethylenebuthylene styrene sponge phase block copolymer samples is presented. Static X-ray scattering is employed to explore the structure of block copolymer sponge phase samples. The dynamics of the polymer samples is probed by X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, providing the first measurements on the dynamics of a block-copolymer sponge phase. The structural movements are studied at length scales both longer and shorter than the characteristic length scale of the sponge structure.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Falus, Péter, 1972-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• David J. Litster and Simon G. J. Mochrie.

• Physics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29371

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/29371