Optically active spirobiindane polymers

An optically active linear polymer comprising

• (a) structural units having formula (IA) and formula (IB) ##STR12## and (b) structural units selected from the group having formula (II), formula (III), formula (IV), formula (V), formula (VI), formula (VII), formula (VIII), formula (IX), formula (X), formula (XI), or formula (XII) ##STR13## wherein m is the mole fraction of said structural units (IA) in said polymer, and n is the mole fraction of said structural units (IB) in said polymer, m and n each independently having a numerical value from 0 to 1.0, wherein the numerical value of m differs from the numerical value of n, and wherein the sum of m and n is greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0;
• wherein x is 0 or 1;
• y is 1 to 20;
• wherein f and f' are each 1 except if the sum of m and n is about 0.5, then f and f' may each independently have a value greater than 1 but less than 2, and both formulas (IX) and (X) are selected as structural units of part (b);
• wherein when said structural units of part (b) have formula (IX), (X), (XI), or (XII), then each said structural unit of part (b) is separated by at least one structural unit of part (a);
• and
• wherein each R.sup.1 and each R.sup.2 is independently hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, haloalkyl, haloaryl, nitro, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, or deuterated equivalents thereof.