Superenhanced backscattering of light by nanoparticles.
We report a physical explanation for the phenomenon wherein the backscattering of light by dielectric particles of sizes between 100 and 1 nm is enhanced by 7-11 orders of magnitude. The phenomenon involves complex composite interactions between a dielectric microsphere and a nanoparticle positioned in close proximity to the microsphere. We provide both analytical and perturbation analyses that show that the enhanced backscattering intensity of a nanoparticle is proportional to the third power of its size parameter. Potential applications of this phenomenon include visible-light detection, characterization, and manipulation of particles as small as a few nanometers.
Chen
Zhigang
Z
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA. z-chen@northwestern.edu
Taflove
Allen
A
Li
Xu
X
Backman
Vadim
V
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D008956:Models, Chemical; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010783:Photometry / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation