Spin coating is a standard method for preparing thin films of soluble polymers. In this research the technique is used to prepare a 130Å thick film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on a polystyrene substrate.

At this scale the film is unstable, and, if gently heated, it reduces its surface energy by a process known as 'spinodal dewetting'. This results in a pattern of PMMA droplets of uniform size and regular distribution (a 'regular length scale'). Pre-casting the PMMA film on a mechanically treated glass substrate can orient the pattern of drops.