Optical properties of metal-polymer nanocomposites based on iron and high-pressure polyethylene

The optical reflectance and absorption spectra of nanocomposite materials based on iron and high-pressure polyethylene (with different percentages of iron) were measured at room temperature in the visible and near-infrared regions. Oscillations of the absorption coefficient related to the optical transitions between minibands of the quantum well are revealed in the electronic spectrum of a metal nanoparticle. The experimental and theoretical data on the absorption coefficient are compared. It is shown that, with an increase in the iron concentration in the dielectric matrix, the discrepancy in the theoretical and experimental results decreases significantly. (C) 2004 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".