Amplification of raman scattering by localized plasmons in silver nanoparticles on the surface of zinc oxide nanorods

The magnetron sputtering of Ag nanoparticles onto ZnO nanorod arrays is studied. The lateral faces of the nanorods are coated with nanoparticles at a much lower density as compared to the flat faces at comparable sputtering times. The silver density is high on the edges of the lateral faces of the nanorods. The plasmon absorption in the synthesized arrays of nanorods coated with individual Ag nanoparticles is maximal at 450?C500 nm. The appearance of local plasmon excitations increases the intensity of the multiphonon processes with the participation of ZnO polar modes in Raman spectra. The cross section of resonance Raman scattering for A ₁(LO) phonon overtones increases with the equivalent Ag film thickness.     

砷化镓上银和金膜的价带光电子谱

木文测量了光子能量为21.2eV,40.8eV和1486.6eV的光电子谱,得到了关于GaAs(110)解理面上银膜的价带能谱新数据,并得到金膜价带能谱的补充数据,蒸发的银膜和金膜的厚度范围为0.l?到1000?,实验上发现并讨论了下面的现象:GaAs(110)面上金膜和银膜的紫外价带光电子谱的强度与膜厚的关系曲线中出现极大峰。 关键词：     

Cyanide bonding on AG (110) investigated by electroreflectance

Electric field modulation of the normal-incidence optical reflectivity (from 3.1 to 4.3 eV) of (110) silver with cyanide bonded to the surface is described. The spectra show an enhancement in anisotropy with respect to the orientation of the light polarization. It is suggested that this effect, together with the shift of structure to higher photon energy with increasing cyanide coverage, can be explained by CN^- (σ)→Ag (sp) bonding with over-compensating Ag(d)→CN^- (π¹) back donation. Other interpretations are discussed and future applications of silver-electrolyte electroreflectance to help understand cyanide bonding are proposed.     

Momentum-resolved bremsstrahlung isochromat spectroscopy of silver surfaces

Angle-resolved bremsstrahlung isochromat spectra of the Ag(100), Ag(110) and Ag(111) surfaces have been measured. Our work extends and complements several earlier investigations of other authors. The data are summarized in the form of final state dispersionsE(k ). Comparison is made to the available theoretical and experimental information. The results for the bulk as well as for the surface-specific features are in excellent to reasonable agreement among each others and with recent calculations.     

Current density distribution along conducting sheath helix encapsulated silver metal cylinder coated with dielectric material under L-nihility and upon oblique incidence

Abstract

This communication is aimed at investigating the electromagnetic (EM) characteristics of silver metal cylinder coated with homogeneous dielectric material, which is loaded with tightly wound perfectly electrical conducting sheath helix (outside of the dielectric layer) structure of different angles of orientation. Considering the L-nihility kind of behavior of silver metal at a particular frequency, the current density distributions are discussed corresponding to the parallel polarization (transverse magnetic) of the incident EM wave. The investigations are made taking into account the different values of oblique incidence, and also, the orientation angle of sheath helix structure. It is found that the current density, and hence the scattering of radiation, greatly depends on these parameters, and its magnitude increases with the increase in helix pitch as well as the angle of incidence.     

Ag-induced atomic structures on the Si(110) surface

We report the results of STM investigation of the initial stage of Ag adsorption on an Si(110) surface. At 0.21 ML Ag coverage, the size and orientation of the unit cell correspond to the parameters of a 16 × 2 unit cell of clean Si(110) surface. With increasing of the Ag coverage up to 0.42 ML, the type of surface reconstruction changes to a 4 × 1-Si(110)-Ag structure. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Ag/Fe/Ag 纳米颗粒膜磁特性和微结构

"利用对靶磁控溅射法制备了一系列Ag/Fe/Ag纳米薄膜,沉积态样品Fe层厚度固定为35 nm,Ag层厚度为1、2、3、4、5 nm．随后对沉积态样品进行了退火处理,退火温度分别为200、300、400、500、600 ℃ , 退火30 min． 利用VSM测量了样品的磁特性, 利用SPM观察样品表面形貌和磁畴结构,并且利用XRD分析了样品的晶体结构．研究结果表明,沉积态样品随Ag层厚度的变化,垂直和平行膜面矫顽力均先增加后减小．当Ag层厚度为3 nm时,垂直膜面矫顽力最大约为260 Oe,样品颗粒分布均     

The influence of oxygen on the growth of silver on Cu(110)

The influence of the (2 × 1)O reconstruction on the growth of Ag on a Cu(110) surface was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). On the bare Cu(110) surface, Stranski–Krastanov growth of silver is observed at sample temperatures between 277 K and 500 K: The formation of a Ag wetting layer is followed by the growth of three-dimensional Ag wires. In contrast, on the oxygen-precovered Cu(110) surface, the growth of silver depends heavily on the substrate temperature. Upon Ag deposition at room temperature, a homogeneous, polycrystalline Ag layer is observed, whereas at 500 K, three-dimensional wires separated by (2 × 1)O reconstructed areas are formed. The behavior of a deposited Ag layer upon annealing is also influenced greatly by the presence of oxygen. On the bare surface, annealing does not change the Ag wetting layer and gives rise to Ostwald ripening of the Ag wires. On the oxygen-precovered surface, however, the initial polycrystalline Aglayer first transforms into Ag wires at around 500 K. Above this temperature, the depletion of the (2 × 1)O reconstructed areas due to Ag-induced O desorption is balanced by the formation of a Ag wetting layer. On both, the bare and the oxygen-precovered Cu(110) surface, the deposited silver diffuses into the Cu bulk at temperatures above 700 K.     

Attenuation,scattering, and depolarization of light by gold nanorods with silver shells

Gold nanoparticles with silver nanoshells are obtained by synthesizing gold nanorods in a growing solution containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, subsequent separation in a concentration gradient of glycerol, and reduction of silver nitrate by ascorbic acid under alkaline conditions in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The formation of silver nanoshells was monitored by the shift of plasmon resonances of extinction and differential light scattering, by the appearance of characteristics peaks of silver in the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra of samples, by the data of transmission electron microscopy, and by visual changes in the color of colloids. The spectrum of the intensity ratio of the co- and cross-polarized compo- nents of light scattered by gold-silver nanorods is measured for the first time, and it is observed that the maximum is shifted by 80–100 nm compared to previously published spectra of gold nanorods (Khlebtsov et al., J. Phys. Chem. C 112, 12760 (2008)). The extinction and light scattering spectra are calculated by the method of separation of variables using the model of a confocal two-layer spheroid and these calculations are found to agree with spectral measurements. A method for determining the thickness of a silver nanolayer by the spectral shift of an extinction longitudinal resonance is described. The obtained data of optical spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy and estimations of the mass of the deposited metal show that the aver-age thickness of the silver layer varies from 0.12 to 4 nm as the Ag/Au ratio changes from 2/80 to 90/80 μg/μg.     

Raman investigations of TiO2 nanotube substrates covered with thin Ag or Cu deposits

A tubular array of TiO₂ nanotubes on Ti matrix was used as a support for Ag or Cu sputter‐deposited layers intended for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) investigations. The composite samples of Ag/TiO₂–nanotube/Ti and Cu/TiO₂–nanotube/Ti were studied with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) [and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM)] to reveal their characteristic morphological and chemical features. Raman spectra of pyridine (as a probe molecule) were measured after it had been adsorbed on the TiO₂–nanotube/Ti substrates covered with thin Ag or Cu deposit as well as on the bulk electrochemically roughened Ag or Cu reference substrates. It was found that the SERS spectra measured for pyridine adsorbed on the bulk silver substrate were significantly different than the spectra measured on the TiO₂–nanotube/Ti substrates covered the Ag layer. The spectra measured for pyridine adsorbed on the Ag/TiO₂–nanotube/Ti suggest that on the surface of such a composite substrate there are many Lewis acidic sites. Spectra typical for pyridine adsorbed on acidic sites were observed even after deposition of a relatively thick silver layer (e.g. an Ag layer with an average thickness of 80 nm) on the TiO₂–nanotube/Ti support. Our findings suggest that TiO₂–nanotube/Ti support is a promising substrate for the preparation of metallic nano‐clusters on a support containing acidic active sites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maximum allowable currents in YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting tapes as a function of the coating thickness,external magnetic field induction,and cooling conditions

Maximum allowable (ultimate) currents stably passing through an YBa₂Cu₃O₇ superconducting current-carrying element are determined as a function of a silver (or copper) coating thickness, external magnetic field induction, and cooling conditions. It is found that if a magnetic system based on yttrium ceramics is cooled by a cryogenic coolant, currents causing instabilities (instability onset currents) are almost independent of the coating thickness. If, however, liquid helium is used as a cooling agent, the ultimate current monotonically grows with the thickness of the stabilizing copper coating. It is shown that depending on cooling conditions, the stable values of the current and electric field strength preceding the occurrence of instability may be both higher and lower than the a priori chosen critical parameters of the superconductor. These features should be taken into account in selecting the stable value of the operating current of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ superconducting windings.     

Functionality of novel black silicon based nanostructured surfaces studied by TOF SIMS

A functionality of the novel black silicon based nanostructured surfaces (BS 2) with different metal surface modifications was tested by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF SIMS). Mainly two surface functions were studied: analytical signal enhancement and analyte pre-ionization effect in SIMS due to nanostructure type and the assistance of the noble metal surface coating (Ag or Au) for secondary ion formation. As a testing analyte a Rhodamine 6G was applied. Bi⁺ has been used as SIMS primary ions. It was found out that SIMS signal enhancement of the analyte significantly depends on Ag layer thickness and measured ion mode (negative, positive). The best SIMS signal enhancement was obtained at BS2 surface coated with 400 nm of Ag layer. SIMS fragmentation schemes were developed for a model analyte deposited onto a silver and gold surface. Significant differences in pre-ionization effects can play an important role in the SIMS analysis due to identification and spectra interpretation.     

Electronic properties of ultrathin films based on pyrrolofullerene molecules on the surface of oxidized silicon

Results of the investigation into the interface formation during the deposition of the films based on aziridinylphenylpyrrolofullerene (APP-C₆₀) up to 8 nm thick on the surface of the oxidized silicon substrate are presented. The procedure of detecting reflection of testing low-energy electron beam from the surface implemented in the total current spectroscopy mode with a change in the incident electron energy from 0 to 25 eV is used. The structure of maxima in the total current spectra induced by the APP-C₆₀ deposited film is established, and the character of interrelation of these maxima with π* and σ* energy bands in the studied materials is determined. It is revealed due to analyzing the variation in intensities of the total current spectra of the deposited APP-C₆₀ film and the (SiO₂)n-Si substrate that the APP-C₆₀ film is formed at the early deposition stage with the coating thickness thinner than one monolayer without the formation of the intermediate modified organic layer. As the APP-C₆₀/(SiO₂)n-Si interface is formed, the work function of the surface increases by 0.7 eV, which corresponds to the transfer of the electron density from substrate (SiO₂)n-Si toward the film APP-C₆₀. The optical absorption spectra of the APP-C₆₀ films are measured and compared with the spectra of films of unsubstituted C₆₀.     

In situ spectroscopic determination of the activation energies for the growth of silver nanoparticles in silica nanofilms in nitrogen atmosphere

An in situ non-destructive optical microspectroscopy investigation of the growth of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in SiO₂ nanofilms deposited on soda-lime glass has been conducted during thermal processing under a nitrogen atmosphere. The time variation in Ag NP size was monitored by fitting the surface plasmon resonance with spectra calculated by Mie theory. The spectroscopic data was analyzed in the context of crystal growth theory and the atmosphere/film/substrate physicochemical interactions. The Ag NPs were indicated to grow first through a diffusion-based process and subsequently via Ostwald ripening. The analysis of a set of time-dependent isotherms has allowed for estimating the activation energies for silver diffusion at 2.5 eV for the initial growth stage and 3.2 eV for the ripening.     

Discovery of radioactive silver (110mAg) in spiders and other fauna in the terrestrial environment after the meltdown of Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant

Six months after the explosion of TEPCO’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, radioactive silver (^110mAg), was detected in concentrations of 3754 Bq/kg in Nephila clavata (the orb-web spider; Joro-gumo in Japanese) collected at Nimaibashi, Iitate village in Fukushima Prefecture, whereas ^110mAg in the soil was 43.1 Bq/kg. A survey of 35 faunal species in the terrestrial environment during the 3.5 years after the accident showed that most of Anthropoda had two orders higher ^110mAg in their tissues than soils, although silver is not an essential element for their life. However, tracing of the activity of ^110mAg detected in spider Atypus karschi collected regularly at a fixed location showed that it declined much faster than the physical half-life. These results suggest that ^110mAg was at once biologically concentrated by faunal species, especially Arthropoda, through food chain. The factors affecting the subsequent rapid decline of ^110mAg concentration in faunal species are discussed.     

Morphological modifications of Ag/Cu(111) probed by photoemission spectroscopy of quantum well states and the Shockley surface state

Epitaxial ultra-thin Ag films grown on Cu(111) have been investigated by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The thickness dependence of the binding energy for the Shockley surface state at 300 K could be determined accurately in films up to 5 ML thick. Furthermore, we observe drastic changes in the film morphology after annealing to 450 K. Spectral modifications in the shape of the quantum-well states (QWS), characteristic for these ultra-thin silver films, prove that the surface morphology is homogeneous. The photoemission spectra also indicate that the silver film bifurcates to form a film exhibiting two distinct film thicknesses. For all levels of silver coverage, we identify surface regions that are 2 ML thick, while the thickness of the remaining surface depends on the amount of deposited silver. The almost purely Lorentzian line-shape of the spectral features corresponding to the two different surface regions show that both surface areas are atomically flat. PACS 68.55.Jk; 73.20.At; 73.21.Fg; 79.60.Dp     

Tunable surface-plasmon-resonance wavelength of silver island films

This paper experimentally and theoretically investigates the effect of the underlayer medium on tuning of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) wavelength of silver island films,and the effect of substrate temperature on the morphologies and optical properties of the films.From the absorption spectra of single Ag with various thickness and overcoated (Ag/TiO 2) films deposited on glass substrates at various substrate temperatures by RF magnetron sputtering,we demonstrate that the surface plasmon resonance wavelength can be made tunable by changing the underlayer medium,the thickness of metal layer and the substrate temperature.By varying substrate temperatures,the interparticle coupling effects on plasmon resonances of nanosilver particles enhance as the spacing between the particles reduces.When the substrate temperature is up to 500 C,the absorption peak decreases sharply and shifts to shorter wavelength side due to the severe coalescence between silver islands in the film.     

Charge-transfer at silver/phthalocyanines interfaces

Valence band photoemission spectroscopy (VB-PES) and inverse photoemission spectroscopy (IPES) were employed to determine the occupied and unoccupied density of states upon silver deposition onto layers of two phthalocyanines (H₂Pc and CuPc). The two different Pc molecules give rise to very distinct behaviour already during the initial stage of silver deposition. While in the CuPc case no shift occurs in the energy levels, the H₂Pc highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) are shifting simultaneously by 0.3 eV, i.e., the HOMO shifts away from the Fermi level while LUMO shifts towards the Fermi level. As the silver quantity increases the HOMO levels of both Pcs are shifting towards the Fermi level. When the Fermi level is resolved in the VB spectra, the characteristic features of H₂Pc and CuPc are smeared out to some extent. Shifts in HOMO and LUMO energy positions as well as changes in line shapes are discussed in terms of charge-transfer and chemical reactions at the interfaces.     

A study of the microstructure of thin a-C:H layers that orient liquid crystals

The surface structure of thin layers of a-C: H is studied by the method of island decoration, using silver films. The changes in the dimensions and density of silver particles is tracked by an electron microscope as a function of the thickness of the a-C: H layers. The electrical microprofile is discussed, along with the nature of the silver crystallization centers on the surface of the a-C: H layers. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 108–110 (January 1998)     

Effects of metal doping on the physical properties of ZnTe thin films

Zinc telluride (ZnTe) thin films were sublimated on a glass substrate using closed space sublimation (CSS) technique. ZnTe thin films of same thickness were tailored with copper (Cu) & silver (Ag) doping, considered for comparative study. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of as-deposited ZnTe thin film and doped ZnTe samples exhibited polycrystalline behavior. The preferred orientation of (111) having cubic phase was observed. XRD patterns indicated that the crystallite size had increased after silver and copper immersion in as-deposited ZnTe thin films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the change of as-deposited and doped sample's grains sizes. EDX confirmed the presence of Cu and Ag in the ZnTe thin films after doping respectively. The optical studies showed the decreasing trend in energy band gap after Cu and Ag-doping. Transmission also decreased after doping. Resistivity of as-deposited ZnTe thin film was about 10⁶ Ω cm. The resistivity was reduced to 68.97 Ω cm after Cu immersion, and 10⁴ Ω cm after Ag immersion. Raman spectra were used to check the crystallinity of as-deposited, Cu and Ag-doped ZnTe thin film samples.