Changes in morphology and optical properties of silver island films on transparent dielectric substrates under exposure to laser radiation

Abstract

The influence of a single nanosecond laser pulse on the morphology of an island silver film was studied. It is shown that, during the pulse time span, the islands can change their shape from an arbitrary one to nearly spheroidal. The islands change their shape due to diffusion of silver atoms on the islands’ surface (self-diffusion), as well as on the substrate surface.