Ultrathin Films of Silver by Magnetron Sputtering

Abstract

The interest in ultrathin silver (Ag) films has increased due to their high surface plasmon resonance for coatings of only a few nm. Low roughness ultrathin films of 1 to 9 nm have been deposited on different substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and optical glass, using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Films show good surface plasmon resonance up to 7 nm thickness, as revealed by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra. The roughness of the films, investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), is small, and one can conclude that depositions are smooth and homogeneous. The bandgap values decrease with film thickness. The refractive index of the films, calculated from ellipsometry measurements, leads to values of under 1 visible domain, with minima in the wavelength range of 400–600 nm. The results are useful for obtaining lower roughness ultrathin Ag films with good surface plasmon resonance for photonic applications.

Optically Enhanced Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells with Light Utilization Efficiency Surpassing 5.5%

“…The surface plasma absorption on the rough Ag surface may be responsible for the difference. [ 39 ] The introduction of seed not only modify the optical properties and morphology of ultrathin Ag film but also improves the sheet resistance from 7.4 to 5.8 Ω sq −1 . After that, SSEs were fabricated by thermal vapor deposition with the guide of simulation results and theoretical analysis.…”

Optical effects by opal/reverse opal structures, laser polymerizing and plasmonic Ag ultra-thin films

“…A thin film of silver is transparent and conductive simultaneously [10]. Ag ultrathin films, of 1 to 7 nm thickness showed plasmonic properties [11] This work intends to shortly present some optical effects induced by three ways, opal structures, laser polymerizing and plasmonic Ag ultra thin films.…”

Cold Plasma Jet Coupled Nanosecond Laser Ablation Scheme For Plasmonic Nanostructured Surfaces

“…Previously, chemical methods such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, spray pyrolysis, chemical bath deposition, and physical methods including magnetron sputtering, atomic layer deposition, and pulsed deposition have been used to make these materials. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Chemical methods use water or organic solvents and employ three main components: metal precursors, reducing agents, and stabilizing/capping agents for the preparation of nanosilver. The process is done under specific conditions of temperature and pressure, usually in a heated reaction chamber under vacuum, and using a surfactant to manipulate the material properties.…”