Scaling and Crossover to Tricriticality in Polymer Solutions
arXiv:cond-mat/0010468 · doi:10.1134/1.1348485
Abstract
We propose a scaling description of phase separation of polymer solutions. The scaling incorporates three universal limiting regimes: the Ising limit asymptotically close to the critical point of phase separation, the "ideal-gas" limit for the pure-solvent phase, and the tricritical limit for the polymer-rich phase asymptotically close to the theta point. We have also developed a phenomenological crossover theory based on the near-tricritical-point Landau expansion renormalized by fluctuations. This theory validates the proposed scaled representation of experimental data and crossover to tricriticality.
4 pages, 3 figures