Heterogeneity of amorphous polymers with various fragility indices as studied in terms of non-Gaussian parameter

Dynamical heterogeneity of amorphous polymers has been studied in terms of non-Gaussian parameter, A(0). This parameter was estimated as a function of temperature, time, and fragility of polymers using the incoherent elastic neutron scattering technique. We found that the heterogeneity of the amorphous polymers increases with decreasing temperature, especially below the glass transition temperature and also that the stronger (or less fragile) polymers are more heterogeneous. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.