Ion irradiation of sp rich amorphous carbon thin films: A vibrational spectroscopy investigation

A vibrational spectroscopic investigation of the effects of ion irradiation on the sp carbon thin films was presented. The position and the relative intensities of the bands observed in Raman scattering or infrared absorption measurements were indicative of the bonding state of the carbon atoms. It was also found that the shape and width of the bands were directly connected with structural relaxation phenomena or with the extension of the nanocrystalline domains. The results show that the ion irradiation of sp rich amorphous carbon films increased a specific component of carbon triple bonds attributed to the formation of short chains.