Manifestation of low-energy orientational excitations in mechanically loaded amorphous polymers according to low-frequency IR and Raman spectroscopy data

Experimental data on the influence of mechanical load (stretching and compression) of glasslike polymethylmethacrylate and polyvinyl chloride on low frequency IR and Raman spectra are obtained. Their analysis revealed absorption and scattering due to the orientation of the low-energy excitations arising in disordered polymer upon external load. It is shown that these spectral data carry information about the molecular mechanisms of deformation and relaxation dynamics of macromolecules. A possible scenario of the development of the initial stage of the deformation process is considered.