Formation and microstructural investigation of Ag-Cu alloy nanoclusters embedded in SiO2 formed by sequential ion...

We report on the formation of alloy nanoclusters in silica by Ag/Cu ion sequential implantation. The formation of alloy nanocluster has been evidenced by optical absorption spectra, selected area electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectra. The microstructure characters of nanoclusters have been studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The lattice distortion of some nanoclusters has been observed. A model has been given to explain the distortion. Some defects (partial dislocation, stacking faults) have been found in nanoclusters.