Abstract
Results are presented from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 100 eV Ar+ bombardment of a model polystyrene (PS) surface. The simulations show that the system transitions from an initially high sputter yield (SY) for the virgin polymer to a drastically lower SY as steady state is approached. This is consistent with corresponding ion beam experiments. The MD indicates that this drop in SY is due to the formation of a heavily cross-linked, dehydrogenated damaged layer. The thickness and structure of this layer are also consistent with ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of Ar plasma-exposed PS samples.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 233113 |
| Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
| Volume | 91 |
| Issue number | 23 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)