Electric and magnetic dipolar response of Germanium spheres: Interference effects, scattering anisotropy and optical forces

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electric and magnetic dipolar scattering responses of Germanium spheres, revealing anisotropic scattering, zero forward/backward scattering, and novel optical force effects in the near-infrared range.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Germanium spheres exhibit pure dipolar scattering behavior with unique anisotropic and zero scattering directions, expanding understanding of their optical properties.

Findings

Wide near-infrared window for dipolar scattering

Observation of zero forward/backward scattering

New optical force effects on Germanium spheres

Abstract

We address the scattering cross sections, and their consequences, for submicrometer Germanium spheres. It is shown that there is a wide window in the near infrared where light scattering by these particles is fully described by their induced electric and magnetic dipoles. In this way, we observe remarkable anisotropic scattering angular distributions, as well as zero forward or backward scattered intensities, which until recently was theoretically demonstrated only for hypothetically postulated magnetodielectric spheres. Also, interesting new effects of the optical forces exerted on these objects are now obtained.