13 research outputs found
A T Matrix Method Based upon Scalar Basis Functions
A surface integral formulation is developed for the T matrix of a homogenous and isotropic particle of arbitrary shape, which employs scalar basis functions represented by the translation matrix elements of the vector spherical wave functions. The formulation begins with the volume integral equation for scattering by the particle, which is transformed so that the vector and dyadic components in the equation are replaced with associated dipole and multipole level scalar harmonic wave functions. The approach leads to a volume integral formulation for the T matrix, which can be extended, by use of Green's identities, to the surface integral formulation. The result is shown to be equivalent to the traditional surface integral formulas based on the VSWF basis
Structure Formation, Melting, and the Optical Properties of Gold/DNA Nanocomposites: Effects of Relaxation Time
We present a model for structure formation, melting, and optical properties
of gold/DNA nanocomposites. These composites consist of a collection of gold
nanoparticles (of radius 50 nm or less) which are bound together by links made
up of DNA strands. In our structural model, the nanocomposite forms from a
series of Monte Carlo steps, each involving reaction-limited cluster-cluster
aggregation (RLCA) followed by dehybridization of the DNA links. These links
form with a probability which depends on temperature and particle
radius . The final structure depends on the number of monomers (i. e. gold
nanoparticles) , , and the relaxation time. At low temperature, the
model results in an RLCA cluster. But after a long enough relaxation time, the
nanocomposite reduces to a compact, non-fractal cluster. We calculate the
optical properties of the resulting aggregates using the Discrete Dipole
Approximation. Despite the restructuring, the melting transition (as seen in
the extinction coefficient at wavelength 520 nm) remains sharp, and the melting
temperature increases with increasing as found in our previous
percolation model. However, restructuring increases the corresponding link
fraction at melting to a value well above the percolation threshold. Our
calculated extinction cross section agrees qualitatively with experiments on
gold/DNA composites. It also shows a characteristic ``rebound effect,''
resulting from incomplete relaxation, which has also been seen in some
experiments. We discuss briefly how our results relate to a possible sol-gel
transition in these aggregates.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure
Photonic molecules and spectral engineering
This chapter reviews the fundamental optical properties and applications of
pho-tonic molecules (PMs) - photonic structures formed by electromagnetic
coupling of two or more optical microcavities (photonic atoms). Controllable
interaction between light and matter in photonic atoms can be further modified
and en-hanced by the manipulation of their mutual coupling. Mechanical and
optical tunability of PMs not only adds new functionalities to
microcavity-based optical components but also paves the way for their use as
testbeds for the exploration of novel physical regimes in atomic physics and
quantum optics. Theoretical studies carried on for over a decade yielded novel
PM designs that make possible lowering thresholds of semiconductor microlasers,
producing directional light emission, achieving optically-induced transparency,
and enhancing sensitivity of microcavity-based bio-, stress- and
rotation-sensors. Recent advances in material science and nano-fabrication
techniques make possible the realization of optimally-tuned PMs for cavity
quantum electrodynamic experiments, classical and quantum information
processing, and sensing.Comment: A review book chapter: 29 pages, 19 figure