Au–Cu alloy nanoclusters in silica formed by ion implantation and annealing in reducing or oxidizing atmosphere

Abstract
The formation of binary alloy clusters in sequentially ion-implanted Au–Cu silica glass has been studied as a function of the annealing atmosphere. Alloy formation has been unambiguously evidenced in the as-implanted samples. The selective influence on Au precipitation of either oxygen or hydrogen annealing atmosphere leads to separation of gold and copper or to Au–Cu alloy cluster formation, respectively.