HIGH-RESOLUTION ELECTRON-ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY AND INFRARED-SPECTROSCOPY OF POLYMER SURFACES - HIGH-RESOLUTION AND ORIENTATION EFFECTS OF POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE FILMS

The vibrational structure of oriented polytetrafluoroethylene has been studied using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREE LS) and infrared spectroscopy. Record-high resolutions of 6-15 cm(-1) in HREELS with a state-of-the-art spectrometer are reported. Selection rules and orientation effects probed by the two different spectroscop ies are discussed and comparisons are made between surface and bulk st ructure. Resonance electron scattering in HREELS has been used to stud y orientation effects of an intense Raman-active nu(C-C) mode at 730 c m(-1). The resonance seen in HREELS is identified as the sigma(C-C) s tate. KREELS results have been related to near-edge x-ray absorption f ine structure results. We discuss several future improvements that nee d to be addressed if ultrahigh resolution EELS is to become a more app licable and powerful tool for the study of polymer surfaces. (C) 1996 American Vacuum Society.