Ultra-directional forward scattering by individual core-shell nanoparticles

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that individual core-shell nanoparticles can achieve ultra-directional forward scattering by tuning higher order electric and magnetic resonances, enhancing nanoantenna and sensing applications.

Contribution

It reveals that interference of higher order modes can improve forward scattering directionality without losing backward suppression, advancing nanoparticle scattering control.

Findings

Ultra-directional forward scattering achieved with core-shell nanoparticles.

Interference of higher order modes enhances scattering directionality.

Potential applications in nanoantennas, photovoltaics, and bio-sensing.

Abstract

We study the angular scattering properties of individual core-shell nanoparticles that support simultaneously both electric and optically-induced magnetic resonances of different orders. In contrast to the approach to suppress the backward scattering and enhance the forward scattering relying on overlapping electric and magnetic dipoles, we reveal that the directionality of the forward scattering can be further improved through the interferences of higher order electric and magnetic modes. Since the major contributing electric and magnetic responses can be tuned to close magnitudes, ultra-directional forward scattering can be achieved by single nanoparticles without compromising the feature of backward scattering suppression, which may offer new opportunities for nanoantennas, photovoltaic devices, bio-sensing and many other interdisciplinary researches.