The objective of this research is to develop the chemistry and applications of inorganic-backbone network polymers. The research will focus on devising a method of functionalizing silicon and/or germanium network backbones to produce polymers with a variety of electronic, surface, and optical properties. These new inorganic polymers will be prepared using new synthetic methodology, and the effect of variation of polymer side chains on the electronic and physical properties of the inorganic backbone will be determined. Synthetic tailoring of the polymer backbone's properties will thus be attempted. Evaluation of the new polymers as photoresists, self=developing waveguide media, photopatternable coatings, optically and electronically active layers, and precursors to ceramic films will be carried out.
