Sideways scattering in double resonant plasmonic nanostructures for light harvesting applications

Numerical simulations of light scattering by elongated metal nanoparticles in an asymmetric arrangement show resonant scattering in two near-infrared wavelength ranges associated with different surface plasmon modes. The main scattering directions of the two plasmon modes are in opposite diagonal directions and almost perpendicular to each other. At wavelengths in-between the two plasmon resonances our simulations showed for the first time strong scattering at approximately ± 90°, which is parallel to the incident electric field direction. Since enhanced sideways scattering exists over a significant wavelength range, the proposed nanoparticle assemblies could be beneficial for light harvesting applications such as solar windows.