Light scattering resonances in small particles with electric and magnetic optical properties

Abstract

With the recent progress of metamaterials and nanoscience providing encouragement, new avenues of light-scattering research is focusing on particles having unconventional optical properties. Light scattered by such particles can have interesting features, visible in their resonances or directional scattering, for instance. In this chapter we focus on the simple Lorenz-Mie resonances that appear in light scattering of small particles. By considering a large range of values of the electric permittivity and the magnetic permeability, either positive or negative, unexpected resonant behavior may be observed. Special attention has been paid to the double-negative or left-handed materials. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.