Structural, linear and third-order nonlinear optical properties of Cu nanocrystal in sodium borosilicate glass

• The NBS glass containing different Cu concentrations were prepared by sol–gel method.
• High dispersion and narrow distribution of Cu nanocrystals were in the form of glass.
• The optical absorption spectra exhibited the typical SPR for Cu in the wavelength range of 550–600 nm.
• The third-order optical properties were investigated by Z-scan technique.

Cu nanocrystals embedded in sodium borosilicate glass of varied Cu contents from 0.5 to 1.5 wt% have been successfully prepared through a sol–gel process. According to the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), the metal Cu nanocrystals in cubic crystal system were well distributed inside glass matrix. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) indicated the sodium borosilicate matrix had no major structural change for gels with different Cu contents. The optical absorption peaks due to the surface plasmon resonance of Cu particles were observed in the wavelength range of 550–600 nm. The absorption peak showed a red-shift trend with increasing Cu contents from 0.5 to 1.5 wt%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the existence of spherical Cu nanocrystals in the matrix. The diameter of Cu nanocrystals varied from 1 to 3.5 nm. Furthermore, the third-order nonlinear optical properties were investigated by Z-scan technique at 800 nm. Experimental results indicated the Cu nanocrystals have obvious positive refractive nonlinearities and reverse saturated absorption performance.