Photoinduced Surface Deposition of Ag–Ge–S Films: Its Enhancement by Addition of Small Amount of Au

The effect of the addition of Au on photoinduced surface deposition (PSD) has been examined using Ag–Ge–S films with various Ag contents. Photosensitivity of the PSD effect was found to be enhanced by the addition of a small amount of Au (less than 2 wt%). The enhancement was significant for the film with a low Ag content but decreased with an increase in the Ag content. The result can be explained by the idea that the Au atoms incorporated in the Ag–Ge–S network may form Au clusters which can act as nucleation centers of stable Ag nuclei in the PSD process.