Microstructural and Optical Absorption Properties of Cu—MgF2 Nanoparticle Cermet Film

We examine the microstructural and optical absorption spectra of 10-30vol% Cu-MgF2 nanoparticle cermet films prepared by co-evaporation in vacuum.The results show that the Cu-MgF2 cermet films are mainly composed of the amorphous MgF2 matrix with embedded fcc Cu nanoparticles of average size 12-24nm.The results also show that the optical absorption of the films decreases as the wavelength increases in the range of 200-800nm.The surface plasmon resonance absorption peaks of Cu nanoparticles in 10,20 and 30vol% Cu-MgF2 films appear at 578,588 and 606 nm,respectively.The interband transition absorption of Cu starts from 590nm downwards.Based on the Maxwell-Garnett theory,the experimental optical absorption properties of the films have been quantitatively evaluated.