Silver nanoparticles in titanium dioxide host plasmonic absorbers

We will present details of optical properties of silver nanoparticles in titanium dioxide host (Ag-TiO2) plasmonic absorbers. These nanocomposites were fabricated using electron beam physical vapour deposition technique. Components were deposited sequentially. We varied several parameters of the structures and fabrication process including silver and TiO2 layer thickness, number of layers, deposition temperature and post fabrication annealing. Utilizing the semicontinuous nature of thin silver films we achieved structures with broadband absorption spanning across visible and near infrared. The level and spectral width of absorption can be tuned by design. Such composites could be used as efficient absorbers in sunlight to heat conversion applications.