Structural and Optical Characteristics of Ag Nanoparticles Embedded in Homoepitaxial SrTiO₃ Thin Films

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles embedded in homoepitaxial SrTiO₃ thin films are prepared by laser molecular beam epitaxy technique combined with nanocluster beam source. Microstructural analysis reveals that Ag nanoparticles are well isolated within the film with an average size of 16 nm. The existence of Ag nanoparticles alters the epitaxial growth orientation of SrTiO₃ and makes the film deviate from the epitaxial growth orientation. The surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles is studied by optical absorption spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum. The position of surface plasmon resonance peak in the absorption spectrum is explained using modified Mie's theory.

Keywords:

• Ag nanoparticles
• SrTiO₃ thin film
• homoepitaxial growth

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National key Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) under Grant No. 2013CB632900. The authors would like to thank the financial support from Hong Kong GRF grant (No. 514512/E). Financial support from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University internal grants (G-UA14 and G-YJ169) is also acknowledged.