Laser Induced Microrelief Superstructure of Ag/ITO Seed-Mediated Nanocomposites

Abstract

The topography of indium tin oxide (ITO) films with incorporated silver nanoparticles and irradiated by single pulses of 18 ns Nd:YAG laser has been investigated. The study was carried out with two Ag/ITO films having resistances of 50 Ω and 4 Ω/square sheet resistances. The periodic structures in both samples were created after the laser treatment. The photo-induced periodic structures have a different character while the sheet resistance plays a major role in the growth process of these structures. The results of optical and non-linear optical investigations lead us to the conclusion that the temporary polarization of samples and high temperature of illuminated spot during laser treatment is responsible for the shape of periodic structures. This conclusion has been also confirmed by local permittivity measurements using evanescent microwave microscope and theoretical calculations concerning the temperature distributions during laser illumination.