Excimer laser-induced copper nanocluster formation in mixed PMMArcopper acetylacetonate films

Photodecomposition by pulsed ultraviolet laser irradiation of copper acetylacetonate CuAcAc.crystals which were embedded in polymethylmethacrylate PMMA.films has been investigated by scanning SEM.and transmission TEM. electron microscopy. Crystal structure and the phase composition before and after irradiation were also characterized by electron diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS.. The photodecomposition occurs at and above a laser fluence threshold and yields particularly the formation of metallic copper clusters with an average size of 10–30 nm. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved