Optical absorbance spectra were taken on microlithographically produced submicron silver spheres which were formed by heat treating silver that was evaporated on submicrometer quartz posts. The spheres in each sample were of approximately uniform shape, and several different samples were studied to determine the effect of sphere radius on the optical absorbance. The results were compared to theoretical calculations using Mie’s scattering theory and the bulk optical properties of silver, and good agreement was found with experiment.

• Received 7 October 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.35.2151