1MeV copper ions were implanted in polycarbonate (PC) matrices with fluences ranging from 5×1013ionscm−2 to 1×1017ionscm−2 in order to modify the optical and electrical properties of the polymer host. Increasing the ion fluence, an increase of the overall absorption and a redshift of the optical band gap were observed, from the initial value of 3.40eV for the pristine PC to 0.80eV measured for 1×1017ionscm−2. For fluences above 5×1014ionscm−2 a broad optical absorption bands at 450–475nm and 520nm were observed and, from 1×1016ionscm−2, an additional band appeared at 570nm. Both bands redshift when the fluence is increased. On the contrary, the optical response of the highest fluence sample is characterized by an overall band at 580nm. The chemical modifications observed in the polymer ranges from induced –OH stretching, CO and –CC– double bonds and –CC and CH triple bonds formation, as the ion fluence increases. The implantation process affects the electrical properties of the polymer inducing a strong reduction in sheet resistance when ion fluence exceeds 5×1016ionscm−2. A value of ∼7.1×107Ω/sq has been obtained for the highest fluence, i.e. about 10 order of magnitude lower than the pristine PC.