Nanosecond-laser plasma-mediated generation of colloidal solutions from silver films of variable thickness: Colloidal optical density versus predetermined ablated mass
Metal nanoparticles have attracted much attention due to their unique properties. One of the important aspects is particle size control for the use of their colloids in various applications. Colloidal solutions of silver nanoparticles were generated in water from silver films of variable thickness at different intensities of a nanosecond fiber laser marker (Bulat) on Yb3 + ions and its scanning speeds over the film surfaces in the laser-plasma ablation regime. The obtained colloidal nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, optical transmission spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. A monotonic increase in the extinction coefficient and in the size of the colloidal particles was observed as a function of laser intensity and exposure.