A robust approach to the design of an electromagnetic shield based on pyrolitic carbon

Abstract

A robust approach to the design of an electromagnetic shield based on ultra-thin pyrolytic carbon (PyC, 5 ÷ 110 nm) films is proposed. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations and Monte Carlo based tolerance analysis are used to show that even a deviation of 15 ÷ 20% from the nominal values of the most important design parameters of the PyC film, i.e. its thickness and sheet resistance, does not significantly affect the wanted level of electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE). The ranges of the SE show that EMI shield based on PyC film is characterized by a robust behavior with respect to the variation of such parameters due to the production processes. Therefore, since the PyC can be produced on a scalable basis, is chemically inert, significantly transparent in the visible range and can be deposited onto both metal and dielectric substrates, including flexible polymers, it may be appropriate for the highly demanding technological needs associated to the graphene revolution and can be developed from laboratory to mass production applications.