MAPLE prepared polymeric thin films for non-linear optic applications

This paper presents a study of some functionalised copolymers thin films prepared on silicon and quartz substrates by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) method. Two polymeric structures have been synthesised by the copolymerisation of maleic anhydride and methyl methacrylate, respectively, maleic anhydride and vinyl benzyl chloride and their subsequent functionalisation with 2,4-dinitroaniline. UV–Vis, FTIR, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been used to investigate the influence on the properties of the films of different substrate temperature (150 °C and 250 °C), background N2 pressure (5–30 Pa) and polymer concentration in target (2% and 3%). We have evidenced that this deposition process does not damage the chemical structure of the polymers. SEM investigations revealed the droplets type morphology of the polymeric films with thickness between 41 nm and 105 nm calculated from ellipsometric measurements.