Silicon carbide films by laser pyrolysis of polycarbosilane

Thin films of polycarbosilane were deposited on Si and SiO2 substrates. Ins tead of conventional oven annealing (high temperatures, inert atmosphere), laser pyrolysis was used to achieve the polymer-to-ceramic conversion. In s ome conditions, especially when laser radiation absorption was enhanced by depositing a carbon layer on the surface of as-deposited films or by embedd ing graphite particles, this processing method yielded SLC ceramic coatings , without damaging the substrate. Processing in air or low vacuum did not r esult in oxidized coatings, contrary to what happens for oven pyrolysis, La ser-converted films were similar to oven-heated films processed at 1000 deg rees to 1200 degreesC.