The major parameters of a crystalline colloidal array optical filter have been investigated theoretically, and the results compared to published experimental data. This filter consists of an aqueous suspension of polystyrene spheres in a lattice which produces Bragg diffraction of incident light. The development of expressions for the filter bandwidth and attenuation utilized both dynamical x-ray diffraction theory and light scattering theory. The theoretical attenuation function indicates that extremely high absorbance values are achievable with relatively thin filters.

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This work focuses on studying a water-based processing method for fabricating and modifying polymer-based photovoltaic devices based on donor-acceptor type complexes. Electrostatic self-assembly is a simple technique that involves immersion of a substrate into dilute aqueous solutions of positively and negatively charged polymers. Extremely thin layers of these polymers are adsorbed onto the surface and their structure can be tailored by manipulating deposition conditions such as the concentration, pH, and salt content. Poly͑p-phenylene vinylene͒ ͑PPV͒ containing bilayers were examined as the donor block and water soluble, functionalized C 60 molecules were investigated for the acceptor block. By varying the number of bilayers deposited in each individual block ͑i.e., the block thickness͒, we have been able to demonstrate a peak in device performance. By controlling the thickness of both the donor and acceptor blocks, we have determined the optimal device architecture for this system. Additionally, we have demonstrated that the interface between the donor and acceptor layers can be modified by inserting thin interfacial layers in between the blocks. The insertion of only two interfacial bilayers apparently combines the donor and acceptor functionalities such that the efficiency can be improved by a factor of 3. From this, it is apparent that one strength of electrostatic self-assembly lies in the modification of surfaces and interfaces, which is a key capability for further development of polymeric photovoltaics.

Next generation microelectronic packaging requirements are driving the need to produce increasingly lower dielectric constant materials while maintaining high thermal stability and ease of processing. Efforts have focused on the synthesis and analysis of new polymers with the goals of high thermal stability [degradation temperature (Td) > 400 °C, low glass‐transition temperature (Tg) > 350 °C], low water uptake (<1%), solubility in selected organic solvents, dielectric constant less than 2.5, and low thermal expansion coefficient. These stringent combined goals have been largely achieved with flexible aromatic benzoxazole polymers. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding between pendant hydroxyl groups and the double‐bond nitrogen of the benzoxazole has been exploited to increase the polymer Tg, whereas the incorporation of perfluoroisopropyl units effectively decreases the dielectric constant. Out‐of‐plane impedance measurements on films of materials in this family (38–134 μm thick) have resulted in typical dielectric values of 2.1–2.5 at 1 MHz, depending on copolymer ratios and functionalizations. Results have been correlated with optical waveguide measurements of films 4‐μm thick to determine film anisotropy and the high‐frequency dielectric constant, and have been corroborated by in‐plane interdigitated electrode dielectric measurements on samples 0.75 μm thick. Candidate materials exhibited extremely low water uptake (0.2%) even after submersion in boiling water for several days. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the polymers enabled the determination of the influence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding on the Tg and loss tangent magnitude. Finally, the coefficient of thermal expansion has been examined and correlated with copolymer constitution. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1991–2003, 2000

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