ABSTRACT
This entry reports on the facile fabrication and characterization of aluminum (Al) nanoparticle arrays that absorb strongly in deep ultraviolet. First, Al nanoparticle arrays are fabricated using glancing angle physical vapor deposition and have average diameters of ~30 nm. After subsequent annealing, the structures become oxidized on the exterior with an Al metal core. Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy is performed to characterize the optical absorbance of the structures before and after annealing. The as-fabricated structures show strong and broad absorption centered near ~230 nm, and annealing in air at 400°C results in tightening and blue shifting of the absorption peak. Additionally, annealing results in a decrease in overall absorption intensity. These new results may be potentially useful for tandem or plasmon-assisted photovoltaics.
