Abstract.
In this work we use nonlinear optical properties of Ga nanoparticles monolayers of different average sizes embedded in dielectric matrices to investigate the liquid-solid phase transitions in these materials. Ga nanoparticles, formed by exploiting the partial wetting of liquid Ga over a SiOx surface are irradiated with fs laser pulses from a Ti:sapphire source. The resulting Second Harmonic (SH) generated in the reflection and transmission directions is measured along the phase transitions by cooling the sample from 320 K down to liquid nitrogen temperature. Hysteresis cycles are observed in the nonlinear transmission, which exhibit a strong amplification from the solid to liquid values as compared to the linear optical results. A simple model for SH generation, based on Mie scattering calculations which includes the effect of surface plasmon resonance provides a fair key for the interpretation of the observed effects.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Achilli, S., Allione, M., Malvezzi, A.M. et al. Influence of phase transitions on the second harmonic generation in metal nanoparticles. Eur. Phys. J. D 24, 223–226 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2003-00192-7
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2003-00192-7