Mass transfer in optical nanocomposites induced by pulsed laser irradiation

In a glass matrix containing nanocrystalline Ag clusters (quantum dots) and illuminated by nanosecond and sub-picosecond pulsed lasers, the metal nanocrystals are observed to move rapidly toward the surface. The motion leads to agglomeration and coalescence of the clusters at the surface. Processes responsible for the motion and coalescence are suggested, and the motional kinetics based on the model are estimated and are found to be in agreement with the experimental observations.