Optical transmission of dielectric layers with metallic nanoparticles inhomogeneously distributed over the sample thickness

Abstract

Dielectric layers with silver nanoparticles in the bulk, synthesized by the vacuum evaporation of metal onto viscous-flow softened polymer substrates are analyzed. New materials with a nonuniform distribution of nanoparticles over the sample thickness are obtained. Optical characteristics of the composition layers are calculated from the transmission spectra. To calculate the optical spectra, a model of a multilayered plane-parallel film structure is considered. Functions of dielectric constants of separate composition layers are determined using the Bruggeman theory of effective medium. A qualitative agreement between the experimental and simulated optical spectra is achieved taking into account nonuniform distribution of metal nanoparticles over the composition material thickness.