Influence of pulsed laser irradiation on precipitation of silver nanoparticles in glass

The effect of a high power Nd:YAG laser radiation on silver ion-exchanged glasses is investigated. Exposure time, spot size and energy have been varied in order to modify the size and the distribution of the metallic nanoaggregates which are formed under the laser irradiation. Optical absorption spectroscopy has been used to confirm the formation of the nanoaggregates by plasmon resonance apparition and the intensity and the decay of the resonance have been observed with the laser irradiation parameters. Quantitative composition of the samples, before and after irradiation, has been determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Desorption of Na atoms and size reduction have been observed. TEM measurements have been carried out to verify the formation of silver nanoparticles.