Ag clustering investigation in laser irradiated ion-exchanged glasses by optical and vibrational spectroscopy

► We modify the properties of Ag+ exchanged glasses by thermal and laser treatment. ► The induced microstructural changes are analyzed by optical and Raman spectroscopy. ► Ag-based species in the glass show a peculiar PL activity in the UV-Vis range. ► Raman and OA analysis allow for determining the Ag cluster size evolution. ► Laser processing leads to different cluster formation and fragmentation mechanisms.