Photo-induced changes in a-AS2S3/gold nanoparticle composite layer structures

Optical parameters of pristine As2S3 amorphous chalcogenide layers are compared with those of layer structures which consist of gold nanoparticles on silica glass substrate, covered by the layer of amorphous As2S3. The localized plasmon resonances are measured and modeled in dependence on the nanocomposite structure. It is shown, that plasmon fields can be excited in these structures by laser irradiation, complementing the action of light on this light sensitive chalcogenide glass and influencing structural transformations in the glass as well as changes of its optical parameters. The enhancement of the light stimulated changes of optical parameters used for laser recording of photonic structures in selected chalcogenide nanocomposites follows from the results.