A continuum model on the nanomesa and nanowell formation in Langmuir–Blodgett ferroelectric polymeric films

Spontaneous crystalline nanomesa and nanowell formation has recently been discovered in polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene [P(VDF–TrFE)] copolymer films developed by Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) deposition. In this paper, we propose a continuum field model to analyze this remarkable phenomenon, consisting of kinematics, energetics, and kinetics of pattern formation and evolution in P(VDF–TrFE) films. Linear perturbation analysis has been carried out to analyze the stability and growth of patterns under small perturbations, and finite difference numerical simulations have been implemented to simulate the morphologies and evolutions of nanomesas and nanowells. The effects of film thickness and a number of other material parameters have been considered in our simulations, which agree well with experimental observations. We expect that our modeling and simulation methods can be used to guide the design and optimization of nanomesa and nanowell patterns for technological applications.