Diffusion of reactive ion beam etched polymers

Abstract
The diffusion of deuterated polystyrene (d-PS) in a polystyrene matrix was used to probe the damage to the polymer surface caused by reactive ion beam etching (RIBE). Diffusion was seen to be hindered in a d-PS film treated by RIBE, an immobilization apparently due to crosslinking of the surface monolayer of the polymer sample.