Optical nano-structuring in light-sensitive AgCl-Ag waveguide thin films: wavelength effect

Irradiation of photosensitive thin films results in the nanostructures formation in the interaction area. Here, we investigate how the formation of nanostructures in photosensitive waveguide AgCl thin films, doped by Ag nanoparticles, can be customized by tuning the wavelength of the incident beam. We found, silver nanoparticles are pushed towards the interference pattern minima created by the interference of the incident beam with the excited TE_n-modes of the AgCl-Ag waveguide. The interference pattern determines the grating constant of the resulting spontaneous periodic nanostructures. Also, our studies indicate a strong dependence of the shape and size distribution of the formed Ag nano-coalescences on the wavelength of the incident beam. It also influences on the surface coverage of the sample by the formed silver nanoparticles and on period of the self-organized nano-gratings. It is found, exposure time and intensity of the incident light are the most determinant parameters for the quality and finesse of our nanostructures. More intense incident light with shorter exposure time generates more regular nanostructures with smaller nano-coalescences and, produces gratings with higher diffraction efficiency. At constant intensity longer exposure time produces more complete nanostructures because of optical positive feedback. We observed exposure with longer wavelength produces finer gratings.