Optics of metal nanoparticles fabricated in organic matrix by ion implantation

Abstract

The present review concentrates on the fabrication of metal nanoparticles in polymer matrix by ion implantation. This approach is particularly promising for the development of optical composite materials in the production technology. Some examples on ion implantation into different polymer matrix are presented. Solid state and viscous polymer layers were irradiated by Ag+ ions with doses up to 1.0(.)10(17) ion/cm(2). The composites were examined by various methods: Rutherford backscattering (RBS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical spectroscopy. As follows from electron microscopy and electron microdiffraction data, ion implantation is suited for creation of silver nanoparticles in the near-surface polymer layer. The optical density spectra taken for some of these composites demonstrate that the silver nanoparticles exhibit unusually weak and wide plasmon resonance spectra. The formation of silver nanoparticles in solid polymer layers carbonized by ion irradiation is considered. Based on the Mie theory, optical extinction spectra for metal particles in the polymer and carbon matrices are simulated and compared with optical spectra for complex silver core-carbon sheath nanoparticles. It was shown that the implantation into viscous polymer leads to less carbonization of matrix than in the case of solid substrate. The physics behind experimental optical spectra of the composite is discussed.