Theoretical SAXS Analysis of Structures of Disordered Gold Polymer Thin Films

Recently the structure of disordered gold-polymer(PMMA-Au) thin films have been measured using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). We have analyzed these experimental results using the fractal SAXS theory. The films are formed of polymer-embedded gold nanoclusters and were fabricated by very low energy gold ion implantation into PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate). The composite films span (with dose variation) the transition from electrically insulating to electrically conducting regimes, a range of interest fundamentally and technologically. We find excellent agreement with theory, and show that the PMMA-Au films have monodispersive or polydispersive characteristics depending on the implanted ion dose. Keywords: SAXS theory, Fractality, percolation, correlation effects.