We propose a new and general method for discovering novel ordered phases of block copolymer melts. The method involves minimizing a free energy functional in an arbitrary unit cell with respect to the composition profile and the dimensions of the unit cell, without any prior assumption of the microphase symmetry. Varying the initial conditions allows to search for different stable and metastable structures. Application of this method to $\mathrm{ABC}$ star and linear triblock copolymers using an approximate free energy reveals new morphologies not yet observed in experiment.

• Received 30 March 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.3428