Nanoparticles Synthesized by Ion Implantation

Abstract

In this chapter, the formation processes and properties of nanoparticles (NPs) by ion implantation, which are embedded in transparent insulators such as SiO2, are described. In Sect. 4.1, the processes of the NP formation from implanted ions are demonstrated: the neutralization of the implanted ion charges, nucleation and growth of NPs, the nonmetal-metal transition, etc. Section 4.2 describes the compound NPs formed by multiple implantations, which includes the compound semiconductor NPs formation and implantation doping to the NPs. Section 4.3 is devoted to oxide NPs formed by a combination of metal-ion implantation and following thermal oxidation with attention of the applications for the vacuum fluorescent display and the single photon emitters. In Sect. 4.4, the amorphous NPs and embedded liquid NPs are presented. In the amorphous NPs, much shorter scattering lengths play a role. Solid-liquid transition of embedded NPs is highlighted. Section 4.5 reviews NPs with two or more resonance peaks. Using the ab-initio band calculation combined with Mie theory, the origins of the UV and IR peaks of Zn NPs are discussed. In Sect. 4.6, the magneto-optical effect of Ni NPs in SiO2 and the modified Curie transition are described after introducing the super-paramagnetism of Ni NPs. Section 4.7 summarizes some selected topics, including the additional peak appearance at 600 nm in Ag NPs in SiO2 due to the inter-particle interaction. The high flux implantation effect, the co-irradiation effect of laser, cavity NPs, sandwiched NPs, and nano-planets are described.