Heavy-ion-induced luminescence of amorphous SiO2 during nanoparticle formation

IIPE spectra showed a broad band centered around 560 nm (2.2 eV) that was assigned to Cu+ solutes. The band appeared at the onset of irradiation, increased in intensity up to a fluence of about 5 × 1015 ions/cm2 and then gradually decreased indicating three stage of the ion beam synthesis of nanoclusters: accumulation of implants, nucleation and growth nanoclusters. The IIPE intensity normalized on the ion flux is independent on the ion flux below 20 μA/cm2 at higher fluences. The intensity of the band increased with increasing samples temperature, when optical absorption spectra reveal the increase of Cu nanoparticles size.