Effects of the ion-solid interaction in glow discharge vapour deposition polymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride

Low energy He ion bombardment of pyromellitic dianhydride monomer used in glow discharge vapour deposition polymerization (GDVDP) of polyimide coatings and its effects on the film deposition process have been studied. The sublimation of the monomer molecules and the simultaneous formation of a damaged, carbon-rich surface layer on the target are discussed from a theoretical point of view based on simulations of the ion-solid interaction. Optical emission and mass spectrometry have been used to analyse the species emitted from the target. In order to study the time evolution of the PMDA target damage, the deposition rate of monomer molecules has been monitored. FT-IR spectroscopy has been used to determine the molecular damaging of the target monomer and deposited films