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Plasmonic, Low-Frequency Raman, and Nonlinear Optical-Limiting Studies in Copper–Silica Nanocomposites

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Abstract

Nanocomposite thin films consisting of Cu nanoparticles embedded in silica matrix were synthesized by atom beam co-sputtering technique. Plasmonic, optical, and structural properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated by using ultraviolet (UV)–visible absorption spectroscopy, nonlinear optical transmission, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and low-frequency Raman scattering. UV–visible absorption studies revealed the surface plasmon resonance absorption at 564 nm which showed a red shift with increase in Cu fraction. XRD results together with surface plasmon resonance absorption confirmed the presence of Cu nanoparticles of different size. Low-frequency Raman studies of nanocomposite films revealed breathing modes in Cu nanoparticles. Nanocomposites with lower metal fractions were found to behave like optical limiters. The possibility of controllably tuning the optical nonlinearity of these nanocomposites could enable them to be the potential candidates for applications in nanophotonics.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to S. R. Abhilash for his help during sample preparation. SM is grateful to Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for providing financial support under SERC Fast Track Young Scientist project. The authors are grateful to Prof. H. Hofsäss for fruitful discussion and RBS measurements. YKM acknowledges the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany for Humboldt Research Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110075, India

    Satyabrata Mohapatra

  2. Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, University of Kiel, Kaiserstrasse 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany

    Y. K. Mishra

  3. Light and Matter Physics Group, Raman Research Institute, C.V. Raman Avenue, Sadashivanagar, Bangalore, 560 080, India

    A. M. Warrier & Reji Philip

  4. Condensed Matter Physics Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, 603102, India

    S. Sahoo & A. K. Arora

  5. Inter University Accelerator Centre, Post Box−10502, New Delhi, 110067, India

    D. K. Avasthi

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  1. Satyabrata Mohapatra
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  2. Y. K. Mishra
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  3. A. M. Warrier
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  4. Reji Philip
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  5. S. Sahoo
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  7. D. K. Avasthi
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Correspondence to Satyabrata Mohapatra.

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Mohapatra, S., Mishra, Y.K., Warrier, A.M. et al. Plasmonic, Low-Frequency Raman, and Nonlinear Optical-Limiting Studies in Copper–Silica Nanocomposites. Plasmonics 7, 25–31 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-011-9271-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-011-9271-y

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