Spatial scale-dependent tracer diffusion in bulk polycarbonate studied by holographic relaxation.

The diffusion of a photochromic dye tracer in polycarbonate was studied by a holographic relaxation technique (forced Rayleigh scattering) at temperatures close to the glass transition temperature. By varying the holographic grating period the results could be interpreted via the spatial scale dependence of apparent diffusion coefficients within a two-state diffusion model. This indicates inhomogeneities on the scale of a few micrometers in the polymer glass.

From strong to fragile glass formers: secondary relaxation in polyalcohols.

We have studied details of the molecular origin of slow secondary relaxation near T(g) in a series of neat polyalcohols by means of dielectric spectroscopy and (2)H NMR. From glycerol to threitol, xylitol, and sorbitol the appearance of the secondary relaxation changes gradually from a wing-type scenario to a pronounced beta peak. It is found that in sorbitol the dynamics of the whole molecule contributes equally to the beta process, while in glycerol the hydrogen bond forming OH groups remain rather rigid compared to the hydrogens bonded to the carbon skeleton.

Capacitive scanning dilatometry and frequency-dependent thermal expansion of polymer films.

The dilatometric properties of polymer films near and above their glass-transition temperatures were explored using capacitive high-frequency detection in temperature ramping as well as in harmonic temperature cycling experiments. The broad applicability of capacitive scanning dilatometry is demonstrated by the investigation of macromolecular systems of vastly different polarity such as polystyrene, polybutadiene, and polyvinylacetate. From temperature cycling experiments the real and imaginary parts of the frequency-dependent thermal-expansion coefficient are determined in the sub-Hz regime.

Experimental Determination of Four-Time Stimulated Echoes in Liquids, Colloidal Suspensions, and Crystals.

Four-time stimulated echo experiments have been used to monitor the temporal evolution of the reorientation rates of deuterated molecules or colloidal suspensions. We present extended phase cycles for this seven-pulse experiment. In order to test its performance three vastly different materials are chosen.

2H NMR Time Domain Analysis of Ultraslow Reorientations in Supercooled Liquids.

A method for evaluating 2H NMR stimulated echo experiments in the time domain is presented. It exhibits a high sensitivity to molecular reorientation mechanisms for small angles. Reorientations with jump angles below 25degrees can be resolved with a precision of approximately 1degrees so that, e.