Morphology and Optical Properties of a Composite Material Based on Gold Nanoparticles and Nonstoichiometric Silicon Oxide

The morphology, structure, and optical properties of a composite material based on gold nanoparticles and thin film of amorphous nonstoichiometric silicon oxide (a-SiO_x, x = 1.8) have been studied for the first time. Based on the obtained experimental data, it is established that a-SiO_1.8 layer provides conformal coating of spherical nanoparticles. An analytical model based on the Mie theory adequately describes the experimental optical properties of gold nanoparticles and composite material in the UV spectral range, as well as the observed variation of the plasmonic peak amplitude during the formation of the composite material.