Influence of 532 and 355 nm nanosecond laser pulses on photodestruction of silver nanoparticles in photo-thermo-refractive glasses

Abstract

In this research we investigate an influence of wavelength of nanosecond laser radiation on the process of silver nanoparticles photodestruction in photo-thermo-refractive glass. Second and third harmonic of nanosecond YAG:Nd laser have been applied to irradiate photo-thermo-refractive silicate glasses with silver nanoparticles and different halogenides (F, Cl, Br) as dopants. Optical spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis have revealed a presence of core/shell nanoparticles Ag/AgBr and Ag/Na0.8Ag0.2Cl. Irradiation of samples by third harmonic at 355 nm wavelength causes a red shift of surface plasmon resonance band (35 nm) whereas nanosecond laser radiation at 532 nm does not cause significant shift of the surface plasmon resonance band. Such a difference is caused by mechanisms involved in the photodestruction process.