MODIFICATION OF THE MECHANICAL AND OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF A POLYCARBONATE BY 50 KEV AR-IMPLANTATION( AND H+ ION)

The effects of 50 keV H+ and Ar+ ions on the mechanical properties and ultraviolet-visible absorption of the polymer CR39 were investigated. It was found that the H+ implantation produced a yellow-brown materia l with optical properties similar to amorphous hydrogenated carbon, wh ereas Ar+ implantation produced a material with optical properties mor e like evaporated amorphous carbon. The mechanical properties of the i mplanted material were measured using a nanoindentation technique and increases in both the elastic modulus and hardness (maximum sustainabl e contact pressure) were observed following irradiation with both ion species. Compared to Ar+ implantation, H+ implantation of CR39 was fou nd to produce a more transparent material at an equivalent maximum sus tainable contact pressure and therefore H+ ions were found to be more desirable than Ar+ ions for the treatment of CR39 optical components. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.