High energy ion beam irradiation of polymers for electronic applications

Ion irradiation of polymers offers a number of interesting possibilities for applications. In the case of latent tracks, radiochemical changes, phase transitions, alterations of the intrinsic free volume, or radiation induced defects can be exploited - the latter ones to trap mobile impurities. These approaches are useful to form, e.g. new types of sensors. Apart from this, etched tracks in polymers offer a vast range of possibilities. Practically any material - including colloides and nanocrystals - can be inserted into these pores to form nanowires or nanotubules. Sequential deposition can be made as well in radial as axial direction to form complex nanostructures. Combination with lithography enables one to form different types of novel transistors, microcapacitors, -magnets, -transformers and -sensors. Also sterilizing foils for medicine and packing industry have been made in this way. A number of new ideas are presented how to proceed further in this field. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.