Multilayered structures of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded Zno films were prepared by sandwiching Au nanoparticles in between magnetron sputtered Zno films. More than 80% transmittance in visible region was observed for Zno film. For structures consisting of single and double layers of AuNPs, transmittance at ∼600 nm was reduced to ∼25% and ∼6%, respectively. AuNPs embedded sandwiches showed a huge reduction in UV Photoluminescence that was prominent in pure Zno films, and was attributed to the interband absorption in Au. © 2011 World Scientific Publishing Company.