Facile preparation of silver nanoparticles in bulk silicate glass by high-repetition-rate picosecond laser pulses

One-step precipitation of Ag nanoparticles in Ag+-doped silicate glasses was achieved through a focused picosecond laser with high repetition rate. Absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that metallic were precipitated within glass samples the laser-written domain. The surface plasmon absorbance fits well experimental absorption spectrum. nonlinear coefficient β is determined to be 2.47 × 10-14 m/W by fitting open aperture Z-scan curve, which originated from intraband transition s-p band. formation mechanism Ag-glass nanocomposites discussed as well.