UV-laser-induced nanoclusters in silver ion-exchanged soda-lime silicate glass

Excimer-laser irradiation (ArF: 193 nm) was performed on silver-exchanged commercial soda-lime silicate glass. Silver nanoclusters were obtained with an average size dependent on the irradiation time, without subsequent heating. Laser irradiation induces the reduction of silver ions and promotes the silver atoms aggregation.