SELF-ASSEMBLING OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES IN GLASSES UNDER ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION

The electron beam irradiation with subsequent thermal treatment of glasses containing silver ions produces silver nanoparticles (SNPs) arranged in layers. The action of the aperture confined electron beam on glasses containing SNPs results in decomposition of SNPs on perimeter of beam and rearrange of SNPs on the circumference of a larger diameter circle. Both processes are based on the similar mechanism — the drift of silver ions with opposite charges in electric field produced by electron beam.