Some aspects of ion implantation technique in nanostructured materials

The paper will discuss the synthesis of metal nanoclusters (NCs) composites, in silica matrix, in which the cluster concentration is below the percolation limit (dispersed clusters). Some case studies will be presented in which ion-beam-based techniques are exploited either for the synthesis, but also for the structural or compositional modification of composites. As regards the technological properties of the studied systems, some results will be presented about the nonlinear properties and energy transfer mechanisms in silica containing Erbium ions and molecular-like metal structures.