RAMAN-SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES ON SB NANOPARTICLES IN SIO2 MATRIX PREPARED BY RF-COSPUTTERING TECHNIQUE

Antimony nanoparticles in SiO2 matrix were prepared by rf-cosputtering method. We report the effect of substrate temperature, sputtering pow er, sputtering pressure, weight of antimony during sputtering and sput tering time on average size of the particle as studied by Raman spectr oscopic technique. The first-order Raman lineshape has been analyzed b y confined optical modes and the average size of the particle has been estimated from this analysis. We found that the average size of the p article increases with increase in substrate temperature and sputterin g power, while it decreases with increase in sputtering pressure and w eight of antimony during sputtering. The average size of the particle does not change with sputtering time. The Raman lineshape of antimony particles embedded in SiO2 matrix also does not change with annealing till 250 degrees C for 48 h. We have discussed the growth process of t he particles in this system. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.