Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticle Rings Embedded in Glass

Silver nanoparticle rings embedded in glass are fabricated by ion exchange technique with photolithographically patterned metal mask. Optical transmission measurement is performed to characterize the optical properties of silver nanoparticles. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of an etched sample further shows the pattern of the nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron diffraction pattern are utilized to observe cross-sectional distribution and to confirm the existence of silver. The results indicate that the masked ion exchange process can provide the possibility of making patterned nanoparticle formations to be used in e. g. surface enhanced spectroscopy.