Surface patterning of argon ion sputtered low density polyethylene

Abstract In this work, surface patterning of Low density polyethylene (LDPE) polymeric films has been investigated utilizing 100 keV oblique argon ion irradiation. The wavy patterns start evolving at the lowest incident angle i.e., at 300, and then become prominent and periodic at higher incident angles i.e., at 400, & 500. Interestingly, the wavelength and amplitude of these patterns have been found to decline with an increase in the angle of incident argon ions. The roughness of surfaces exhibits a non-linear behavior with the angle of incidence. The observed morphological alterations have been further correlated with the disordering parameters computed from the deconvoluted Raman spectra. These patterned polymeric substrates are useful for substrate preparation for cell growth, bioengineering, surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensors, etc.