Nuclear microprobe study of the composition degradation induced in polyimides by irradiation with high-energy heavy ions

Abstract The hydrogen profile is determined in polyimide films (kapton-H from Dupont) previously irradiated by 50 MeV 32 S ions. Results from elastic recoil detection analysis show the existence of high hydrogen concentration zones located more than 3 μm beneath the surface of the irradiated kapton. Deuteron-induced nuclear reaction analysis is also performed to determine C, N and O distributions. The N and O losses and C content variations are discussed in terms of the irradiation dose. These experimental data do not support suggestions that molecular damage invariably results in loss of volatile species and consequent reorganization of the organic skeleton leading to the formation of carbon-enriched material. Rather they indicate that the molecular rearrangement is influenced by H trapped within the degraded organic matrix.