Optical properties of Ag–Al2O3 nano-array composite structure

Ag/Al₂O₃ nano-array composite structures were obtained by alternating current (AC) electrodeposition of Ag into the pores of anodic alumina membrane (AAM). The ordered wire-grid structure of Ag nanowires formed along a preferential direction, typically 20 nm in diameter, was fabricated. XRD revealed that Ag₂O is also preserved in the pores of AAM. Optical properties of Ag/Al₂O₃ prepared at different annealing temperatures were measured by using spectrometer. Transmission spectra indicate that the transmittance of Ag/Al₂O₃ increases obviously with the increasing of annealing temperature. Polarization spectra indicate that Ag/Al₂O₃ has good polarization in the range of 900–2000 nm, and the extinction ratio increases with the increasing of the annealing temperature or incident angle.