Controlled Anisotropic Deformation of Ag Nanoparticles by Si Ion Irradiation

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how silicon ion irradiation can precisely control the shape and alignment of silver nanoparticles in glass, affecting their optical properties through induced anisotropic deformation.

Contribution

It introduces a method to controllably deform and align silver nanoparticles using silicon ion irradiation, enabling tunable optical responses.

Findings

Nanoparticles become anisotropic and aligned along the ion beam.

Surface plasmon resonance splits into two with increased fluence.

Optical simulations confirm deformation causes anisotropy.

Abstract

The shape and alignment of silver nanoparticles embedded in a glass matrix is controlled using silicon ion irradiation. Symmetric silver nanoparticles are transformed into anisotropic particles whose larger axis is along the ion beam. Upon irradiation, the surface plasmon resonance of symmetric particles splits into two resonances whose separation depends on the fluence of the ion irradiation. Simulations of the optical absorbance show that the anisotropy is caused by the deformation and alignment of the nanoparticles, and that both properties are controlled with the irradiation fluence.