Effects of MeV ions on PE and PVDC

We studied the effects of 3.5 and 5.0 MeV alpha bombardment on polyethylene and polyvinylidene chloride, both of which have simple chemical structures. Using a thin polymer film stacking technique, we were able to map the effects of the MeV alpha particles in their track. The first layer of the thin polymer film stack experienced mostly the effects of the electronic energy deposited, and the last layer received mostly effects of the nuclear stopping. Using Raman microprobe analysis and by measuring the ratio of the formation of graphene structures (G-line) to the disordered (amorphous) carbon line (D-line), we were able to separate the severed bond effects at the end of the alpha particle tracks in the last polymer film layers from the effects of the electronic energy deposited in the first polymer film layers. The results are in agreement with our other measurements of each polymer film using FTIR, RES and resistance measurements. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.