Matrix effects on the optical response of silver nanoclusters

Abstract

We report absorption spectra for Ag 7 , Ag 9 , and Ag 11 in an argon matrix grown at a temperature of 28 K and compare them with previous spectra of the same species measured in matrices of argon grown at lower temperatures as well as in neon matrices. We discuss the discrepancies in the light of the matrix crystallinity and show that this leads to an understanding of the influence of the matrix on the optical response of small clusters.

High sensitivity absorption measurement of small metal clusters embedded in an argon matrix

“…To understand the effect of the matrix material on the electronic structure of small metal clusters, we wanted to be able to perform absorption studies in different matrices such as argon. 23 Argon tends to grow in nanocrystallites, leading to a severe limitation of the transparency of the matrices grown at low temperature. The optical path needs therefore to be shorter than in the experiments mentioned above.…”

Optical absorption of small silver clusters: Agn, (n=4–22)

“…The experimental spectra of massselected clusters embedded in an argon matrix are presented for n = 4 -14. Since the crystallinity of the surrounding matrix was shown to influence the absorption spectra of the embedded clusters, 22 all the spectra reported here were recorded in an argon matrix annealed at 28 K. We present new calculations for n =4-22 in the framework of TDDFT. Our theoretical results will be compared to the experimental spectra for n Յ 14, and to previous works already available for n Ͼ 14.…”

Tunability of the optical absorption in small silver cluster-polymer hybrid systems

“…Experimentally these clusters have been studied in stabilizing rare-gas matrices, as free silver clusters in the gas phase dissociate by fragmentation. [12][13][14][15] Small silver clusters exhibit interesting luminescence and especially fluorescence properties that can be tuned by their size and chemical environment. [16][17][18] Interesting, but not very well understood, experimental observations on the tunability of their optical properties as a function of the chemical environment have been reported.…”