Beginning with a complete discussion of the fundamentals of dielectric spectroscopy, this book examines in detail the methods used in data modeling and in such specialized techniques as high-frequency dielectric measurements and thermally stimulated currents. The book covers applications in a range of polymeric systems including solutions, blends, and liquid crystals.

Both an introductory course to broadband dielectric spectroscopy and a monograph describing recent dielectric contributions to current topics, this book is the first to cover the topic and has been hotly awaited by the scientific community.

This volume contains the major portion of the material given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute, held at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. , September 6th-18th, 1981. The original idea germin ated in a conversation between the organisers on a cold December night in 1978 in the depths of the Oxfordshire countryside. At that time we felt that the chemical physics of macromolecules in the solid state was running on two parallel tracks, namely structure and dynamics. The contact between the two appeared to be slight. We were also concerned that the degree of srecial knowledge now required for any one technique essentially prevented people from learning the important features of other investigation methods. Consequently, we have attempted to bring together leading authorities on both structural and dynamic properties of solid polymers in the hope that the combination of both types of discussion will be synergistic. The choice of main subjects is our own and we are aware that some areas have been omitted. HOvlever, to be comprehensive would have made an already large volume enormous. Y'Je therefore chose to concentrate on what were, in our opinion, the major areas. Nonetheless, it is apparent that much ori~inal material appears here, especially in those contri butions which are more theoretical in concent, the full experimental iMnlications of which have yet to be investigated.

The field of non-crystalline materials has seen the emergence of many challeng ing problems during its long history. In recent years, the interest in polymeric and biological disordered matter has stimulated new activities which in turn have enlarged the organic and inorganic glass community. The current research fields and recent progress have extended our knowledge of the rich phenomenol ogy of glassy systems, where the role of disorder is fundamental for the underlying microscopic dynamics. In addition, despite the lack of a unified theory, many interesting theoretical models have recently evolved. The present volume offers the reader a collection of topics representing the current state in the understanding of disorder effects as well as a survey of the basic problems and phenomena involved. The task of compiling a book devoted to disordered systems has benefited much from a seminar organized by the W.-E. Heraeus Foundation in Bad Honnef in April 1992, where we had the opportunity to discuss the project with most of the authors. Here we wish to thank the Heraeus Foundation for their support, and the authors and Springer-Verlag, especially Dr. Marion Hertel, for the pleasant cooperation.

The series covers the fundamentals and applications of different smart material systems from renowned international experts.

"This book is about Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy as a Modern Analytical Technique"--

Polymers exhibit a range of physical characteristics, from rubber-like elasticity to the glassy state. These particular properties are controlled at the molecular level by the mobility of the structural constituents. Remarkable changes in mobility can be witnessed with temperature, over narrow, well defined regions, termed relaxation processes. This is an important, unique phenomenon controlling polymer transition behaviour and is described here at an introductory level. The important types of relaxation processes from amorphous to crystalline polymers and polymeric miscible blends are covered, in conjunction with the broad spectrum of experimental methods used to study them. In-depth discussion of molecular level interpretation, including atomistic level computer simulations and applications to molecular mechanism elucidation, are discussed. The result is a self-contained approach to polymeric interpretation suitable for researchers in materials science, physics and chemistry interested in the relaxation processes of polymeric systems.