Chapter 21
Nonlinear Optical Properties of Polymer
Nanocomposites with a Random and
Periodic Distribution of Silver
Nanoparticles
T. N. Smirnova, V. I. Rudenko, and V. O. Hryn
21.1 Introduction
Nanocomposites based on optically transparent matrices with embedded noble
metal nanoparticles (NPs) have become an important research subject for the
development of new materials for photonics, since these materials possess unique
optical and electronic properties. Their specific properties are mainly attributed
to the quantum and dielectric confinement effects and excitation of local surface
plasmons in the metal NPs [1–4] that is accompanied by the appearance of plasmon
absorption bands in the optical region of the spectrum.
Irradiation of composites with high-power light pulses at frequencies close to
plasmon resonance leads to a significant enhancement of local electric field near
the surface of metallic NPs that is the main cause of the giant nonlinear response
of metal-containing nanocomposites. The high values of nonlinearity and velocity
of nonlinear response of nanocomposites make them promising materials for the
creation of high-speed nonlinear devices, for example, optical limiters and ultrafast
optical switches [5–7].
Doped-glass and polymer-based nanocomposites, being the most widely used
optical materials, exhibit particularly promising features for the application in linear
and nonlinear optics, laser physics, and optoelectronics [2, 3]. In addition to the
high flexibility of their structure and properties, polymers are relatively cheap and
simple to manufacture as compared to glasses. Polymers can also act as effective
stabilizers of metallic NPs, preventing their aggregation. And finally, the use of
T. N. Smirnova () · V. I. Rudenko · V. O. Hryn
Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
e-mail: smirnova@iop.kiev.ua; val@iop.kiev.ua; vohryn@iop.kiev.ua
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
O. Fesenko, L. Yatsenko (eds.), Nanochemistry, Biotechnology, Nanomaterials,
and Their Applications, Springer Proceedings in Physics 214,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92567-7_21
333
Nonlinear Optical Properties of Polymer
Nanocomposites with a Random and
Periodic Distribution of Silver
Nanoparticles
T. N. Smirnova, V. I. Rudenko, and V. O. Hryn
21.1 Introduction
Nanocomposites based on optically transparent matrices with embedded noble
metal nanoparticles (NPs) have become an important research subject for the
development of new materials for photonics, since these materials possess unique
optical and electronic properties. Their specific properties are mainly attributed
to the quantum and dielectric confinement effects and excitation of local surface
plasmons in the metal NPs [1–4] that is accompanied by the appearance of plasmon
absorption bands in the optical region of the spectrum.
Irradiation of composites with high-power light pulses at frequencies close to
plasmon resonance leads to a significant enhancement of local electric field near
the surface of metallic NPs that is the main cause of the giant nonlinear response
of metal-containing nanocomposites. The high values of nonlinearity and velocity
of nonlinear response of nanocomposites make them promising materials for the
creation of high-speed nonlinear devices, for example, optical limiters and ultrafast
optical switches [5–7].
Doped-glass and polymer-based nanocomposites, being the most widely used
optical materials, exhibit particularly promising features for the application in linear
and nonlinear optics, laser physics, and optoelectronics [2, 3]. In addition to the
high flexibility of their structure and properties, polymers are relatively cheap and
simple to manufacture as compared to glasses. Polymers can also act as effective
stabilizers of metallic NPs, preventing their aggregation. And finally, the use of
T. N. Smirnova () · V. I. Rudenko · V. O. Hryn
Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
e-mail: smirnova@iop.kiev.ua; val@iop.kiev.ua; vohryn@iop.kiev.ua
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
O. Fesenko, L. Yatsenko (eds.), Nanochemistry, Biotechnology, Nanomaterials,
and Their Applications, Springer Proceedings in Physics 214,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92567-7_21
333