Optical anisotropy and columnar structure of obliquely deposited thin films containing fine metal particles ag

Abstract

Anisotropic optical properties and nanostructures of thin films prepared by oblique co-deposition of Ag and SiO 2 were studied. At low concentrations of Ag, a columnar structure grew towards the direction of the incident SiO 2 vapor and small Ag particles were embedded in that structure. An inhomogeneous distribution of Ag was observed in cases where the Ag was deposited from the opposite side of the surface normal to the direction of the incident SiO 2 vapor. This inhomogeneous distribution of Ag particles gives rise to optical anisotropy, i.e., the optical transmittance of p-polarized light varies drastically depending on the angle of incidence, while that of s-polarized light remains unchanged. A possible application of the anisotropic optical absorption properties of AgSiO 2 hybrid films is in the manufactur of an inorganic thin film polarizer.