Structural and optical properties of single and bilayer silver and gold films

An experimental study of structural and optical properties of silver and gold thin films, as well as bilayer films based on these metals, has been carried out. To study properties of nanofilms, reflection spectra upon excitation of surface plasmons in the Kretschmann geometry and spectra of ellipsometric parameters have been investigated. The reflection spectra were analyzed using a theoretical model for determining (effective) dielectric constants of the films. The calculated dielectric constants of the films differ from data obtained by ellipsometry. The features in determining dielectric constants by different methods and characteristics of manufactured films in relation to the influence of the substrate are discussed.