Silver structures at the percolation threshold, prepared by laser annealing

The electrical, optical, and structural properties of silver nanostructures at the percolation threshold, which were prepared from a conductive film by laser treatment, have been investigated experimentally. It has been found that the threshold voltage applied to the silver film leads to an abrupt change in its electrical resistance. At high voltages, there is a region with a negative differential resistance. These changes in the electrical conductivity under the influence of the applied voltage have been explained by small structural changes in the film.