Synthesis of nanosized silver particles in ion-exchanged glass by electron beam irradiation

Ag particles of 4.2 nm mean diameter have been formed inside a glass matrix, doped with silver by ion exchange, by electron beam irradiation of the glass cut into thin slices by ultramicrotomy. By this treatment, a high concentration of particles which are homogeneously arranged throughout the glass and exhibit a narrow size distribution is achieved (volume fraction of particulate silver: 3.5 x 10(-2)). The interface stress reflecting the particle/matrix interaction is comparable to that of isolated Ag particles. This new route of synthesis will allow to generate materials with strong third order nonlinear susceptibility. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.