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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Utilization of Plasmonic and Photonic Crystal Nanostructures for Enhanced Micro- and Nanoparticle Manipulation
Published on: September 27, 2011
Angle-suppressed scattering and optical forces on submicrometer dielectric particles.
M Nieto-Vesperinas1, R Gomez-Medina, J J Saenz
1Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain. mnieto@icmm.csic.es
Summary
Submicrometer silicon spheres exhibit unique scattering properties, achieving zero forward and backward light intensity. This observation, previously theoretical, opens new avenues for controlling optical forces using electric and magnetic dipoles.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics and Mie Theory
- Optical Metamaterials and Nanoparticles
Background:
- Submicrometer spheres are ideal for studying scattering phenomena.
- Mie theory describes light scattering by dielectric and magnetic particles.
- Kerker conditions predict zero forward or backward scattering, previously theoretical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally verify Kerker conditions using silicon spheres.
- To investigate the role of electric and magnetic dipoles in scattering.
- To explore implications for optical forces in resonant and non-resonant regimes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized submicrometer silicon spheres as a scattering medium.
- Analyzed scattering angular distributions in the near-infrared spectrum.
- Applied Mie theory, focusing on the first two Mie coefficients.
Main Results:
- Observed zero forward- and backward-scattered intensity (Kerker conditions) for silicon spheres.
- Demonstrated that silicon spheres' polarizability is governed by their first two Mie coefficients.
- Derived new consequences for optical forces due to coupled electric and magnetic dipole interactions.
Conclusions:
- Silicon spheres serve as a practical platform for testing advanced scattering effects.
- Experimental realization of Kerker conditions is achieved with readily available materials.
- The interplay of electric and magnetic dipoles significantly influences optical forces.
