Multilayer for antireflection coating applications using metal nanoparticles to provide ultraviolet blocking

We propose the use of metal nanoparticles (NPs) [(silver (Ag)] embedded heterogeneous composite material made of titanium dioxide (TiO2) for antireflection coating (ARC) while partially blocking the transmission of near-ultraviolet (UV) radiation across the thin-film arrangement. The proposed structure consists of two layers of porous TiO2 thin film of specific thickness and volume fraction to attain antireflection property with Ag NPs embedded in the upper layer to optimize the UV blocking potentiality within the range of 320 to 400 nm. The calculations indicate that 10-nm Ag NPs with volume fraction of 0.01 and film thickness (51-nm top layer and 102-nm bottom layer) give the best results for blocking of near-UV radiation. Decreasing the aspect ratio of the prolate nanospheriod gives better UV blocking intensity. (C) 2020 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)