Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy Investigation of Optically Induced Charge in Au Nanoparticles Embedded into ZrO2(Y) Films.

Accumulation and relaxation of optically induced electric charge in ZrO₂(Y) films with embedded single-layered arrays of Au nanoparticles (NPs) of 2–3 nm in diameter have been studied subject to the depth of the Au NPs in the ZrO₂(Y) layers and the optical excitation power at the wavelengths of 473 and 633 nm by Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKPM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]