Abstract-Kapton-derived carbon as efficient terahertz absorbers

• S. Venkatachalam, 
• D. Bertin, 
• G. Ducournau, 
• J.F. Lampin, 
• D. Hourlier^, 

• IEMN, UMR-8520, Avenue Poincaré, BP 69, 59652 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France

Received 18 November 2015, Revised 30 December 2015, Accepted 2 January 2016, Available online 5 January 2016

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0008622316300033

The focus of this study is the preparation of carbon-based materials that satisfy the requirements of developing quasi-optic controllable absorbers for terahertz technology. These materials have been obtained from a commercially available organic polymer, Kapton® HN polyimide, through a pyrolysis process conducted in an inert atmosphere at different temperatures. The pyrolysis of Kapton film up to 1200 °C left a black residue principally composed of graphitic-carbon with a yield of about 55%. The D.C. conductivity of materials measured at 295K increases with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The starting organic polymer is turned from an insulator to conductor material when heat-treated at over 700 °C. Moreover, in the frequency range 220-500 GHz, the pyrolyzed materials show distinct optical properties, which have variant degrees of terahertz absorption. Kapton® HN polyimide that is thermally converted into carbon-based materials may be used for the realization of calibrated terahertz absorbers, particularly for thermal transducers.

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Copyright © 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.