Formation and optical properties of metal nanoclusters formed by sequential implantation of Cd and Ag in silica

Nanometer dimension metal colloids fabricated by sequential implantation of Cd then Ag in silica and by single element implantations of the same elements are characterized by transmission electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy, A nominal dose of 6 x 10(16) ions/cm(2) as determined by current integration was used far both ions species. The doses used for the sequential implantations were a 1 to 1 ratio of Cd to Ag. Sequential implantation of Cd and Ag leads to the formation of multi-component metal nanoclusters and elemental. nanoclusters, The electron diffraction measurements were consistent with the formation of Ag5Cd8 and elemental Ag. With annealing the composition of the nanoclusters shifts to AgCd and elemental Cd, The optical responses are consistent with results expected from effective medium theory.