The linear optical absorption properties of a titanium nanoparticle composite formed by implantation of low energy Ti+ into single crystal SiO2 are reported. Evolution of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) induced by the formation of a metal nanoparticle composite is studied as a function of ion dose. At an implantation temperature of 25 degreesC, the threshold dose for the appearance of the SPR is similar to3.5x10(16) ions/cm(2), indicating that spontaneous nucleation and clustering of titanium nanoparticles in SiO2 occurs at similar to3.2x10(22) ions/cm(3) peak concentration of implants. The average particle size and volume fraction are dependent on the ion dose. The correlation of the optical response, i.e., the intensity and frequency of the observed SPR, with the nucleation/clustering of the metal nanoparticles is discussed on the basis of Mie scattering theory and Maxwell Garnett theory. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.