Periodic structure formation in polymer films with embedded gold nanoparticles

Plasma polymer films containing gold nanoparticles were irradiated with linearly polarized femtosecond laser pulses. The laser-induced periodic modification of the nanoparticle assemblies was studied by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The influence of laser intensity and laser wavelength on the structure formation process was investigated. Optical spectra of the irradiated films reveal a laser-induced dichroism. Optical mO-Delling based on Rayleigh-Gans theory was applied to explain the anisotropic optical properties.