Nature of anisotropic fluctuation modes in ordered systems

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Abstract
The nature of anisotropic fluctuation modes in an ordered system is analysed using general symmetry arguments. It is shown that the anisotropic fluctuation modes in a periodic phase can be classified using a wave vector within the irreducible Brillouin zone and a band index. The spatial profiles of the fluctuation modes are described by Bloch functions. These general features enable a study of the stability and kinetic pathway of complex ordered polymeric structures to be carried out. The utility of the theory is illustrated using the Landau-Brazovskii theory of weak crystallization.