Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of alloyed AgCu glassy nanoparticles

Abstract The studies of nonlinear optical properties of alloyed AgCu nanoparticles embedded in Al2O3 film with Ag to Cu atomic ratio of 1:1 are presented. To enhance nonlinear optical properties of alloyed AgCu nanoparticles, glassy nanoparticles are synthesized by adjusting the parameters of rapid thermal annealing. The nonlinear optical absorption coefficient of AgCu glassy nanoparticles is found to be twice than that of AgCu crystalline nanoparticles. In addition to conventional morphology modulation, this provides another dimension for modifying the nonlinear optical properties of metallic nanostructures. The optical nonlinear enhancement can be achieved by realizing the growth of glassy nanoparticles, which is of great significance for the application of nanostructures in optical limiting devices and all-optical switching devices.