Abstract
Gold nanoparticles on zinc oxide thin films surfaces have been synthesized by means of two step pulsed laser deposition. Zinc and gold targets were subsequently submitted to pulses generated by an UV KrF* (λ = 248 nm, τ~FWHM~ ≅ 20 ns, ν = 2 Hz) excimer, as well as a frequency tripled Nd:YAG (λ = 355 nm, τ ∼ 10 ns) laser sources. The obtained structures surface morphology, crystalline quality, and chemical composition depth profile were investigated by acoustic (dynamic) mode atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and wavelength dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The corresponding absorption and reflection spectra were recorded with the aid of a double beam spectrophotometer. The results proved the possibility to tailor the gold/zinc oxide nanostructures optical properties through the proper choice of the growth parameters, i.e. number of laser pulses used for the ablation of the gold targets as well as nature of the substrate material. The tunable optical features in the visible‐near infrared spectral region allow for the design of gold/zinc oxide nanostructures with pre‐defined optical characteristics. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)