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Advances in the Raman depth profiling of polymer laminates
C A Froud1, I P Hayward, J Laven
1Department of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. caf@orc.soton.ac.uk
Applied Spectroscopy
|December 23, 2003
Summary
Raman microspectroscopy depth profiling of polymer laminates is improved using immersion oil. This technique successfully resolved 11 layers, overcoming refractive index aberrations that limit dry objectives.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Raman microspectroscopy is increasingly used for polymer laminate depth profiling.
- Refractive index changes at the air/sample interface cause aberrations, degrading results.
- Immersion oil with a suitable objective may mitigate these aberrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of immersion oil for Raman microspectroscopy depth profiling of polymer laminates.
- To compare depth profiling performance using dry and immersion objectives.
Main Methods:
- Depth profiling of a poly(styrene)/poly(methylmethacrylate) (PS/PMMA) laminate using Raman microspectroscopy.
- Comparison of results obtained with dry metallurgical objectives and immersion objectives with oil.
- Validation of results by sample sectioning and resin embedding.
Main Results:
- The immersion technique achieved depth profiling to 100 micrometers, resolving 11 distinct layers.
- Dry objectives provided poor resolution, distinguishing only two layers.
- Immersion profiling results were consistent with sectioning analysis.
Conclusions:
- Immersion oil significantly enhances Raman microspectroscopy depth profiling in polymer laminates.
- This method overcomes interface aberrations, enabling detailed analysis of multi-layered structures.
- This is the first demonstration of deep profiling in polymer laminates using this technique.