Structural Characteristics of Metal Nanoparticles in Glass Upon Irradiation-Assisted Processing

Irradiation-assisted processing, i.e. ion, electron and laser irradiation, have been applied to fabricate metal/glass nanocomposites. The particle configurations are studied by transmission electron microscopy to get some insight into the rather complex formation mechanisms. Special attention is given to spheroidally shaped particles surrounded by smaller secondary particles observed upon ion beam mixing of silica/silver/silica layer compounds as well as irradiating femtosecond laser pulses on sodium silicate glass containing spherical silver particles. Another unique type of structure are cavities observed in silver particles formed by high fluence ion implantation into silica as well as upon laser pulse irradiation of silver particles in glass. The experimental findings are discussed in terms of irradiation-induced defect formation and radiation-enhanced diffusion.