Tuning of the surface plasmon resonance in TiO2/Au thin films grown by magnetron sputtering: The effect of thermal annealing

• DOI: 10.1063/1.3565066
• Publication Date: 2011-04-08T09:51:34Z
• Authors: M. Torrell; R. Kabir; L. Cunha; M. I. Vasilevskiy; F. Vaz; A. Cavaleiro; E. Alves; N. P. Barradas
• Keywords: Nanophotonics

Nanocomposites consisting of a dielectric matrix, such as TiO2, with embedded noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) possess specific optical properties due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, interesting for several applications. The aim this work is demonstrate that these are sensitive nanostructure magnetron-sputtered TiO2/Au thin films, which can be tuned by annealing. We study role shape and size distribution NPs, well influence crystallinity phase composition host matrix on response films. All characteristics modified vacuum annealing treatments deposited A theoretical interpretation modeling experimental results obtained presented. model involves Maxwell-Garnett approach effective function composite (describing SPR effect) transfer formalism multilayer optics. Input data based information from detailed structural characterization It shown used controlling making them attractive decorative coatings.