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The theory presented in this book explains in a consistent manner all dynamics effects observed in very concentrated solutions and melts of linear polymers from a macromolecular point of view. The presentation is compact and self-contained.

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I used the opportunity of this edition to correct some minor mistakes and clarify, wherever it possible, exposition of the theory in comparison with the previous edition of this book (Kluwer, Dordrechtet cet, 2000). It provokes - largement of the book, though I tried to present the modern theory of thermic motion of long macromolecules in compact form. I have tried to accumulate the common heritage and to take into account di?erent approaches in the theory of dynamics of linear polymers, at least, to understand and make clear the importance of various ideas for explanation of relaxation phenomena in linear polymers, to present recent development in the ?eld. The theory of non-equilibrium phenomena in polymer systems is based on the fundamental principles of statistical physics. However, the peculiarities of thestructureandthebehaviourofthesystemsnecessitatetheimplementation of special methods and heuristic models that are di?erent from those for gases and solids, so that polymer dynamics has appeared to be a special branch of physicsnow. Themonographcontainsdiscussionsofthemainprinciplesofthe theoryof slowrelaxationphenomena in linearpolymers, elaborated inthe last decades. The basic model of a macromolecule, which allows us a consistent explanation of di?erent relaxation phenomena (di?usion, neutron scattering, viscoelasticity, optical birefringence), remains to be a coarse-grained or be- spring model, considered in di?erent environments: viscous, to describe the behaviourofdilutesolutions,orviscoelastic,todescribethebehaviourofboth weakly and strongly entangled systems.

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Introduction: Macromolecular Systems in Equilibrium.- Dynamics of a Macromolecule in a Viscous Liquid.- Dynamics of a Macromolecule in an Entangled System.- Conformational Relaxation.- The Localisation Effect.- Linear Viscoelasticity.- Equations of Relaxation.- Relaxation Processes in the Phenomenological Theory.- Non-Linear Effects of Viscoelasticity.- Optical Anisotropy.

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From the reviews of the second edition:

"Much of the book is taken up with the construction and solution of stochastic differential equations which describe the dynamics of the beads and chains, and considerable detail of the derivation of the final results from the initial equations is given. ... a monograph for experts who wish to see a detailed discussion of the mechanics of the bead and chain model ... . a technical and specialised work which will appeal to the expert reader who has the need and application to master it." (P. T. Greenland, Contemporary Physics, March, 2012)

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