title: Numerical modeling of light propagation in a hexagonal array of dielectric cylinders.
abstract: To model the light-guiding properties of a hexagonal array of dielectric cylinders, we have numerically solved Maxwell's equations with the finite-difference time-domain technique. The sizes and refractive indices of the cylinders are representative of those of the outer segments of the cone photoreceptors in the human central retina. In the array, light propagates predominantly as a "slow" mode, with a noticeable contribution of a "fast" mode, with the optical field localized in the intra- and inter-cylinder spaces, respectively. Interference between these modes leads to substantial (up to approximately 60%) axial oscillations in optical power within the cylinders. Our numerical model offered approximate dependence of the optical intensity distribution within the cylinders on their radii and separations.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zvyagin
authors.forename: Taras
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Plakhotnik
authors.forename: Misha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vorobyev
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013997:Time Factors