The aim of this project was to synthesize polyimides that exhibit second order nonlinear optic behavior and to fabricate a Low Driving Voltage Electro-optic Modulator. Undergraduate and graduate students were involved in all aspects of this project. A high temperature polyimide that had a NLO chromophore incorporated was synthesized and its properties characterized. The E-O Coefficient of the polyimide was determined to be 1.98pm/V and expected to have a driving voltage of 9.0 volts. In the detailed analysis of the design of the E-O Modulator Single-arm Interferometer it was determined that the waveguide should have two modes. In the design of the Modulator a new method of coupling light using micro-scratches was tested.

This and its companion Volume 2 chronicle the proceedings of the First Technical Conference on Polyimides: Synthesis, Char acterization and Applications held under the auspices of the Mid Hudson Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers at Ellenville, New York, November 10-12, 1982. In the last decade or so there has been an accelerated interest in the use of polyimides for a variety of applications in a number of widely differing technologies. The applications of polyimides range from aerospace to microelectronics to medical field, and this is attributed to the fact that polyimides offer certain desirable traits, inter alia, high temperature stability. Polyimides are used as organic insulators, as adhesives, as coat ings, in composites, just to name a few of their uses. Even a casual search of the literature will underscore the importance of this class of materials and the high tempo of R&D activity taking place in the area of polyimides. So it was deemed that a conference on polyimides was both timely and needed. This conference was designed to provide a forum for discussion of various ramifications of polyimides, to bring together scientists and technologists interested in all aspects of polyimides and thus to provide an opportunity for cross-pollination of ideas, and to highlight areas which needed further and intensi fied R&D efforts. If the comments from the attendees are a baro meter of the success of a conference, then this event was highly successful and fulfilled amply its stated objectives.

The topics covered in this proceedings volume include: Synthesis, characterization and processing (including some novel approaches) of a variety of polyimides and other high temperature polymers; structure-property relationships; segmental dynamics in polyimide materials; photoalignable polyimides; photoconductivity and photosensitivity of polyimides; ultrafiltration membranes from polyetherimide; polymer materials for nonlinear optical applications; alignment of SWNTs in rigid-rod polymer compositions; surface modification of polyimide; adhesion of Cu to polyimide surfaces; and polyimide erosion in a low Earth orbit space environment.

This volume chronicles the proceedings of the International Symposium on Polyimides and Other High Temperature Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications, held in Newark, New Jersey, November 29 – December 1, 1999. Polyimides constitute an important class of materials because of their many desirable traits, for example: low dielectric constant, high breakdown voltage, good planarization, wear resistance, radiation resistance, inertness to solvents, good adhesion properties, good hydrolytic stability, low thermal expansion, long-term stability and excellent mechanical properties.This volume contains a total of 21 papers, all rigorously peer reviewed and revised before inclusion, addressing many aspects and new developments in polyimides and other high temperature polymers. The book is divided into two parts: “Synthesis, Properties and Bulk Characterization†and “ Interfacial or Adhesion Aspects and Applicationsâ€. The topics covered include: structure-property relationships in polyimides; photochemistry and photophysics of polyimides; thermal and UV laser pyrolyses of polyimides; residual stress evaluation in polyimides; synthesis and characterization of a variety of polyimides; high Tg polyimide; fluorinated polyimides; highly oriented polyimide films; high-temperature aromatic copolymer thermosets; shape-memory polymers; polyimides as liquid crystal alignment layers; surface properties of polyimides; metal-containing polyimides for optoelectronic applications; polyimide L-B films; polyimides coated with copper sulfide; carbon fiber/polyimide composites; and simulations of the polyimide/silica interface.This volume offers a wealth of information and represents current commentary on the R&D activity taking place in the technologically highly important field of polyimides and other high temperature polymers and is of value and interest to anyone interested in the fundamental or applied aspects of this topic.

This book is mostly based on papers presented at the Fourth International Symposium on this topic held in Savannah, Georgia. However, in addition to these papers, certain very relevant papers have also been included to broaden the scope and thus enhance the value of this book.Currently there is tremendous interest in these material because of their