| Abstract
| - The phase separation and dewetting of thin films of blends of deuterated polystyrene (dPS)and poly(p-methylstyrene) (PpMS) were investigated during annealing. The surface morphology, obtainedfrom atomic force microscopy and phase measurement interference microscopy, the density profile,determined by X-ray reflectivity in the region of total external reflection, and the surface compositionobtained from static secondary ion mass spectroscopy, are reported. This system is only weaklyincompatible. The interaction of the components with substrate and air during phase separation leadsto a bilayer formation with a broad polymer−polymer interface. PpMS segregates to the air interface.The bilayer structure is unstable and defines the starting point for the dewetting of PpMS on top of thedPS layer. In the final dewetting state a homogeneous layer of dPS on top of the substrate is coveredwith an ultrathin layer of PpMS as well as with quite thick mesoscopic drops of PpMS.
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