Abstract

Clusters and aggregates of atoms in the nanometer size range have been the object of intensive work particularly in the case of semiconductors quantum dots [1]. Less extensive investigations have been performed on metallic nanoparticles [2-3]. For particle size greater than 10 Å the behavior of the nanoparticles tends to approach that of the bulk metal, but with some significant differences concerning thermodynamic properties (like decrease of melting temperature with size) and non-linear effects in the optical spectra [4]. A careful investigation of the role of particle dimensions on the electron relaxation dynamics appears to be essential to improve our knowledge of the basic properties of metal nanoparticles as compared to bulk.

© 1996 Optical Society of America