SOME NEW PHYSICOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMERS

Some aspects of physico-chemical behaviour of thermotropic liquid-crys talline (LC) polymers with mesogenic side groups (comb-shaped polymers ) are considered in connection with the peculiarities of their molecul ar structure. The relationship between molecular parameters, such as m olecular weight and molecular weight distribution of LC polymers and t heir thermal and phase behaviour are examined. The unusual mesophase t ypes formed by such polymers and dynamics of their orientation in magn etic field are analyzed. Thermo- and photooptical phenomena in comb-sh aped LC polymers related to their potential application as optical dat a storage are described.