Anisotropic thermal properties of solid polymers

This paper discusses the thermal conduction anisotropy in polymers by reviewing currently available theories and experimental methods for studying oriented polymers. The anisotropic thermal conductivity and diffusivity of oriented polymers originate from the difference between the thermal energy transport mechanisms parallel and perpendicular to their molecules. Recent progress in the development of experimental techniques for studying the thermal conduction anisotropy of polymer films with thicknesses near 1 mum is discussed in connection with modern microelectronics applications. The data obtained fi-om these techniques are expected to serve for developing sophisticated thermal conduction theories that account for the polymer anisotropy and for performing precise thermal design of organic electronic devices that incorporate highly oriented polymer structures.