Optical properties of metal nanoparticles synthesized in a polymer by ion implantation: A review

Polymer composite layers irradiated by 30-keV Ag+ ions with doses from 3.1×1015 to 7.5×1016 cm−2 and an ion current of 4 µA/cm2 are investigated. The composites were examined using Rutherford backscattering (RBS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical spectroscopy. As follows from electron microscopy and electron microdiffraction data, ion implantation is a promising tool for synthesizing silver nanoparticles in the surface region. The optical density spectra taken of these composites demonstrate that the silver nanoparticles exhibit unusually weak plasma resonance. The formation of silver nanoparticles in layers carbonized by ion implantation is considered. Based on the Mie theory, optical extinction spectra for silver particles in the polymer and carbon matrices are simulated and optical spectra for complex silver core-carbon sheath nanoparticles are calculated. The physics behind the experimental optical spectra of the composite is discussed.