Effect of electron irradiation on the formation of silver nanoclusters in photothermorefractive glasses

The dynamics of formation of silver nanocrystals under the action of an electron beam in the near-surface layer of photothermorefractive glasses containing Ag+ ions has been experimentally studied. It is shown that the irradiation by electrons leads to the field-induced diffusion of Ag+ ions and the appearance of primary silver nanoclusters. The role of nanostructures of the core-shell type in the formation of these nanoclusters and the subsequent growth of metallic silver nanoparticles with plasmon resonances is determined.