The future of information technology requires ultra high speed processing and large data storage capacity. Since the electronics technology using semi conduc tors and inorganic materials is about to reach its limits, much current research is focused on utilizing much faster photons than electrons, namely photonics. To achieve any significant effect on the actual use of the science of photonics, devel opments of more efficient photonics materials, better optical property evaluations, manufacture of devices for system applications, etc. are the subjects which need to be explored. In particular, the development of photonics materials stands in the forefront of research as this constitutes the most pertinent factor with regard to the development of ultra high speed and large capacity information processing. In this respect, there has been continuous research on photo responsive materials through molecular structure design and architecture and the results so far are very promising as functions and performances are beginning to realize their high expectations. The two special volumes "Polymers for Photonics Applications" give authorita tive and critical reviews on up to date activities in various fields of photonic poly mers including their promising applications. Seven articles have been contributed by internationally recognized and they deal with, polymers for second and third order nonlinear optics, quadratic parametric interactions in polymer waveguides, electroluminescent polymers as light sources, photoreflective polymers for holo graphic information storage, and highly efficient two photon absorbing organics and polymers.

Photorefractive polymer composites are an unusually sensitive class of photopolymers. Physics of Photorefraction in Polymers describes our current understanding of the physical processes that produce a photorefractive effect in key composite materials. Topics as diverse as charge generation, dispersive charge transport, charge compensation and trap

This book provides comprehensive, state-of-the art coverage of photorefractive organic compounds, a class of material with the ability to change their index of refraction upon illumination. The change is both dynamic and reversible. Dynamic because no external processing is required for the index modulation to be revealed, and reversible because the index change can be modified or suppressed by altering the illumination pattern. These properties make photorefractive materials very attractive candidates for many applications such as image restoration, correlation, beam conjugation, non-destructive testing, data storage, imaging through scattering media, holographic imaging and display. The field of photorefractive organic material is also closely related to organic photovoltaic and light emitting diode (OLED), which makes new discoveries in one field applicable to others.

The two special volumes of Advances in Polymer Science entitled "Polymers for Photonics Applications" provide authoritative and critical reviews of up-to-date research and advances in various fields of photonic polymers as well as their promising applications. Eight articles contributed by internationally recognized scientists are concerned with polymers for second- and third-order nonlinear optics, quadratic parametric interactions in polymer waveguides, electroluminescent polymers for light sources, photoreflective polymers for holographic information storage, and highly efficient two-photon absorbing organics and polymers, including their applications. This review should provide individuals working in the field of photonic polymers with invaluable scientific knowledge on the state of the art while giving directions for future research to those deeply interested.

The goal of this project was to produce and characterize improved organic ferroelectric materials with emphasis on improving the response time and sensitivity. We demonstrated 300-fold improvements in the mobility of photorefractive polymer composites by identifying and mitigating the dipolar disorder mobility-reducing mechanism endemic to organic photorefractive materials and choosing transport agents that were relatively insensitive to this mechanism. We also synthesized dendrimers with design features further reducing dipolar disorder and also the significant van der Waals disorder for use in improved-speed photorefractive composites.