Articles you may be interested inEffects of substrate treatment on the initial growth mode of indium-tin-oxide films J. Appl. Phys. 97, 024910 (2005); 10.1063/1.1835003Characteristics and anticoagulation behavior of polyethylene terephthalate modified by C 2 H 2 plasma immersion ion implantation-deposition J. Polycarbonate surface modified by argon cluster ion beamsImpacts of energetic argon ion clusters on surfaces of inorganic solids have shown modification of the respective surface properties. Polymeric samples such as ͑PC͒ polycarbonate and ͑PP͒ polypropylene were irradiated by argon ion clusters ͑average size of 3000 atoms͒ accelerated to 10 and 20 keV at doses ranging from 10 9 to 10 14 cluster/cm 2 . The irradiated surfaces were investigated by surfometer ͑profilometer͒, atomic force microscope, contact angle measurements and x-photoelectron spectroscopy. Measurements using these techniques show that the smoothing effect and the postirradiation oxidation of the surface take place. The direct evidence was obtained in case of PP that the irradiation dose 10 11 cluster/cm 2 produces the smoothest surface as measured by surfometer. In the case of PC the same conclusion is suggested indirectly.

We have developed a sputter ion pump (SIP) to obtain a lower ultimate pressure.