This first book to focus on the important and topical effect of light on polymeric materials reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the topic, building a bridge between polymer chemistry and physics, photochemistry and photophysics, and materials science. Written by one experienced author, a consistent approach is maintained throughout, covering such applications as nonlinear optical materials, core materials for optical waveguides, photoresists in the production of computer chips, photoswitches and optical memories. Advanced reading for polymer, physical and organic chemists, manufacturers of optoelectronic devices, chemical engineers, and materials scientists.

After finishing his phD at Cologne University, Germany, Wolfram Schnabel was appointed Professor at the Technical University of Berlin. He spent one year at the Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and is to date researcher at the Hahn-Meitner-Institute in Berlin. He published well over 300 journal articles in macromolecular chemistry, photochemistry and radiation chemistry and is the authors of three books.

Introduction LIGHT-INDUCED PHYSICAL PROCESSES IN POLYMERS Absorption of Light and Subsequent Photophysical Processes Photoconductivity Electro-optic and Nonlinear Optical Phenomena Photorefractivity Photochromism Technical Developments Related to Photophysical Processes in Polymers LIGHT-INDUCED CHEMICAL PROCESSES IN POLYMERS Photoreactions in Synthetic Polymers Photoreactions in Biopolymers Technical Developments Related to Photochemical Processes in Polymers LIGHT-INDUCED SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS Photopolymerization Technical Developments Related to Photopolymerization MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS Polymers in Optical Memories Polymeric Photosensors Polymeric Photocatalysis