Directional visible light scattering by silicon nanoparticles

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates for the first time that spherical silicon nanoparticles can produce directional visible light scattering by exciting magnetic and electric dipole resonances, enabling controllable far-field radiation patterns.

Contribution

The study experimentally shows directional scattering in silicon nanoparticles due to magnetic and electric dipole interference, with tunable directivity and high forward-to-backward scattering ratios.

Findings

Achieved forward-to-backward scattering ratio above 6 at visible wavelengths.

Controlled scattering directionality by changing wavelength and nanoparticle size.

Experimental demonstration of directional scattering in silicon nanoparticles.

Abstract

Directional light scattering by spherical silicon nanoparticles in the visible spectral range is experimentally demonstrated for the first time. These unique scattering properties arise due to simultaneous excitation and mutual interference of magnetic and electric dipole resonances inside a single nanosphere. Directivity of the far-field radiation pattern can be controlled by changing light wavelength and the nanoparticle size. Forward-to-backward scattering ratio above 6 can be experimentally obtained at visible wavelengths. These unique properties of silicon nanoparticles make them promising for design of novel low-loss visible- and telecom-range nanoantenna devices.