Distributed Bragg Reflector Based on Plasmonic Ag: Plasma Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract This study presents a complex approach to the calibration, design, fabrication, optical modelling, and characterization of distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) based on plasmonic silver‐plasma polymer nanocomposites. The high refractive index of nanocomposites is attained using localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the silver nanoparticles using magnetron sputtering. The nanocomposite matrix and low refractive index layers are prepared using a continuous plasma‐assisted vapor thermal deposition (PAVTD) method, utilizing its recently improved control. An important part of the study is a methodology starting with characterization of the materials, selecting the optimal nanocomposite composition (filling factor 16% in this particular case), and optimizing the optical design of DBRs beyond the conventional quarter‐wave designs. The study demonstrates the successful fabrication of DBRs with central wavelengths across the visible spectrum (450–650 nm), achieving optical properties close to theoretical predictions. The methodology also enabled the identification of deposition imperfections using optical properties fitting and demonstrated the potential for reverse‐engineering other nanocomposite DBRs from literature data. The presented methodology demonstrates a practical and adaptable approach for developing nanocomposite‐based optical coatings, applicable beyond DBRs to a broader range of photonic devices, including sensors, filters, and tunable coatings.