We study the spinodal decomposition in a symmetric, binary homopolymer blend using our recently developed dynamical self-consistent field theory. By taking the extremal solution of a dynamical functional integral, the theory reduces the interacting, multi-chain dynamics to a Smoluchowski equation describing the statistical dynamics of a single, unentangled chain in a self-consistent, time-dependent, mean force-field. We numerically solve this equation by evaluating averages over a large ensemble of replica chains, each one of which obeys single-chain Langevin dynamics, subject to the mean field. Following a quench from the disordered state, an early time spinodal instability in the blend composition develops, before even one Rouse time elapses. The dominant, unstable, growing wavelength is on the order of the coil size. The blend then enters a late-time, t, scaling regime with a growing domain size that follows the expected Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner t power law, a characteristic of a diffusion-driven coarsening process. These results provide a satisfying test of this new method, which correctly captures both the early and late time physics in the blend. Our simulation spans five orders-of-magnitude in time as the domains coarsen to 20 times the coil size, while remaining faithful to the dynamics of the microscopic chain model.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.5142179 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
A cross-entropy corrected hybrid multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory for complex molecular systems.
Nat Commun
January 2025
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovation Materials, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, MOE Laboratory for Computational Physical Science, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Hybrid density functionals, such as B3LYP and PBE0, have achieved remarkable success by substantially improving over their parent methods, namely Hartree-Fock and the generalized gradient approximation, and generally outperforming the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) that is more expensive. Here, we extend the linear scheme of hybrid multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory (HMC-PDFT) by incorporating a cross-entropy ingredient to balance the description of static and dynamic correlation effects, leading to a consistent improvement on both exchange and correlation energies. The B3LYP-like translated on-top functional (tB4LYP) developed along this line not only surpasses the accuracy of its parent methods, the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and the original MC-PDFT functionals (tBLYP and tB3LYP), but also outperforms the widely used complete active space second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSimulating anharmonic vibrational polaritons beyond the long wavelength approximation.
J Chem Phys
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA.
In this work, we investigate anharmonic vibrational polaritons formed due to strong light-matter interactions in an optical cavity between radiation modes and anharmonic vibrations beyond the long-wavelength limit. We introduce a conceptually simple description of light-matter interactions, where spatially localized cavity radiation modes couple to localized vibrations. Within this theoretical framework, we employ self-consistent phonon theory and vibrational dynamical mean-field theory to efficiently simulate momentum-resolved vibrational-polariton spectra, including effects of anharmonicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExpanding Horizons in Quantum Chemical Studies: The Versatile Power of MRSF-TDDFT.
Acc Chem Res
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, South Korea.
ConspectusWhile traditional quantum chemical theories have long been central to research, they encounter limitations when applied to complex situations. Two of the most widely used quantum chemical approaches, Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT), perform well in cases with relatively weak electron correlation, such as the ground-state minima of closed-shell systems (Franck-Condon region). However, their applicability diminishes in more demanding scenarios.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStabilizing complex-Langevin field-theoretic simulations for block copolymer melts.
J Chem Phys
December 2024
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
Complex-Langevin field-theoretic simulations (CL-FTSs) provide an approximation-free method of calculating fluctuation corrections to the self-consistent field theory (SCFT) of block copolymer melts. However, the complex fields are prone to the formation of hot spots, which causes the method to fail. This problem has been attributed to an invariance under complex translations, which allows the system to drift away from the real-valued saddle-point of SCFT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtended Active Space Ab Initio Ligand Field Theory: Applications to Transition-Metal Ions.
Inorg Chem
December 2024
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, Mülheim an der Ruhr 45470, Germany.
Ligand field theory (LFT) is one of the cornerstones of coordination chemistry since it provides a conceptual framework in which a great many properties of d- and f-element compounds can be discussed. While LFT serves as a powerful qualitative guide, it is not a tool for quantitative predictions on individual compounds since it incorporates semiempirical parameters that must be fitted to experiment. One way to connect the realms of first-principles electronic structure theory that has emerged as particularly powerful over the past decade is the ab initio ligand field theory (AILFT).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!