Fy 2000 Programs and Accomplishments

Development and application of measurement methods is an integral part of the Polymers Division's projects. Examples in process monitoring, combinatorial methods and neutron scattering are depicted on the cover. Upper left composite On-line stroboscopic microscopy captures the action of processing additives during the extrusion of polyethylene. The polyethylene is forced under the action of a twin-screw extruder (upper left of photo) through a sapphire tube (bright cube in center) and into the atmosphere (lower right of photo). The microscope objective is visible beneath the sapphire flow tube. Lower Right composite Advances in Process Visualization led to the discovery of " superstrings " in sheared polymer blends. When a blend of polymers droplets in a matrix of a second immiscible polymer is subject to a shearing action between two closely separated plates, there is a massive reorganization of the droplets into large stable strings. Direct visual image of the phase diagram of polystyrene and polyvinyl-methylether obtained by depositing a composition gradient orthogonal to a temperature gradient. Data from conventional measurements are shown as open circles. A special apparatus, shown below the visual phase diagram, was constructed to prepare films with gradient compositions and/or thickness by a computer controlled flow coating procedure. Film thickness and composition contours of dried films are mapped using a spot ellipsometer and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Lower left composite Scanning electron micrograph and small angle neutron scattering pattern of a 700 nm thick photoresist film with 150 nm lines. Neutron scattering is explored as a method to quantify lithographic patterns of finer size scales in response to metrology needs of the semiconductor industry as it develops higher speed IC chips. P Pe er rm mi it tt ti iv vi it ty y o of f P Po ol ly ym me er r F Fi il lm ms s i in n t th he e M Mi ic cr ro ow wa av ve e R39 M Mu ul lt ti ip ph ha as se e P Po ol ly ym me er ri ic c M Ma at te er ri ia al ls s P M Mo od di if fi ic ca at ti io on n o of f t th he e P Ph ha as se e S St ta ab bi il li it ty y o of f P Po ol ly ym me er r B …