Topological structure and relaxation properties of polymers

The experimental data and theoretical views on the relations between the relaxation properties and structure of polymers are generalised. The attention is focused on the topological structural level, in particular, characteristics including the molecular mass, the molecular mass distribution, the degree of branching, and the covalent and equilibrium network parameters. In relation to the discussion of the relaxation spectrometry concept, the physical meaning of the kinetic parameters of local transitions and the nature of β-relaxation are considered. Methods of calculation of the continuous and discrete relaxation spectra from the results of relaxation and rheological experiments are described. Data establishing the relation between the relaxation spectrum and the topological structure of a polymer are analysed.