Polycarbonates (PC) are characterized as very attractive polymeric materials for an extensive use in optical technology applications. The use of plasma treatments has been successfully employed for the improvement of their surface properties and the increase of the adhesion of subsequent Anti-Scratch (AS) coatings deposited in order to advance the PC lens mechanical performance. In this work, we present a detailed investigation of the effect of Pulsed DC N₂ plasma treatment on the optical properties and the nanotopography of PC optical lens. The investigation of the PC surface modification during plasma treatment has been studied by in situ & real time Fourier Transform IR Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (FTIRSE) and Atomic Force Microscopy. These techniques revealed important information about the dominant mechanisms that take place during the plasma-surface interaction. The analysis of FTIRSE spectra showed the formation of a surface overlayer with thickness up to 500 nm adjusted by the plasma treatment, that is characterized by a polymer macromolecular chain scission in combination to chain crosslinking. Moreover, the study of PC surface nanotopography showed an initial increase of the roughness, followed by a reduction at higher values of the applied voltage and an elimination of the surface inhomogeneities (trenches) of the untreated PC lens, affecting the formation of the protective AS coating on the surface.

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