Synthesis of nanosized silver particles in ion-exchanged glass by electron beam irradiation

Ag particles of 4.2 nm mean diameter have been formed inside a glass matrix, doped with silver by ion exchange, by electron beam irradiation of the glass cut into thin slices by ultramicrotomy. By this treatment, a high concentration of particles which are homogeneously arranged throughout the glass and exhibit a narrow size distribution is achieved (volume fraction of particulate silver: 3.5×10−2). The interface stress reflecting the particle/matrix interaction is comparable to that of isolated Ag particles. This new route of synthesis will allow to generate materials with strong third order nonlinear susceptibility.