Study of chemical, optical and thermal modifications induced by 100 MeV silicon ions in a polycarbonate film

A thin film of polycarbonate was bombarded with 100 MeV Si8+ ions. Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet/ visible spectroscopic techniques were employed for studying the changes in chemical and optical properties whereas differential scanning calorimetry was used for studying the changes in the thermal properties. It was observed that there was a slight shift in the optical absorption edge towards the red end of the spectrum when the ion fluence was increased. It was further observed that there was a substantial chemical and thermal modification in the sample such as breaking of C-O single bond and formation of phenolic bond and gradual decrease in the glass transition temperature with the increase in ion fluence. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.