Superlinear Photoluminescence by Ultrafast Laser Pulses in Dielectric Matrices with Metal Nanoclusters

An intense photoluminescence emission was observed from noble metal nanoclusters (Pt, Ag or Au) embedded in sapphire plates, nucleated by MeV ion-implantation and assisted by an annealing process. In particular, the spectral photoluminescence characteristics, such as range and peak emission, were compared to the behavior observed from Pt nanoclusters embedded in a silica matrix and excited by UV irradiation. Correlation between emission energy, nanoclusters size and metal composition were analyzed by using the scaling energy relation E(Fermi)/N(1/3) from the spherical Jellium model. The metal nanocluster luminescent spectra were numerically simulated and correctly fitted using the bulk Fermi energy for each metal and a Gaussian nanoclusters size distribution for the samples. Our results suggest protoplasmonics photoluminescence from metal nanoclusters free of surface state or strain effects at the nanoclusters-matrix interface that can influence over their optical properties. These metal nanoclusters present very promising optical features such as bright visible photoluminescence and photostability under strong picosecond laser excitations. Besides superlinear photoluminescence from metal nanoclusters were also observed under UV high power excitation showing a quadratic dependence on the pump power fluence.