Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy investigation of optically induced charge in Au nanoparticles embedded into ZrO-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=-(Y) films

Abstract

Accumulation and relaxation of optically induced electric charge in ZrO2(Y) films with embedded single-layered arrays of Au nanoparticles (NPs) of 2-3 nm in diameter have been studied subject to the depth of the Au NPs in the ZrO2(Y) layers and the optical excitation power at the wavelengths of 473 and 633 nm by Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKPM). Keywords: thin film systems, zirconia, nanoparticles, plasmon resonance.