Plasmonics simulations with the MNPBEM toolbox: Consideration of substrates and layer structures

TL;DR

This paper extends the MNPBEM toolbox to efficiently simulate plasmonic nanoparticles in complex layered environments, accounting for substrates and layer structures, enhancing its applicability.

Contribution

The authors develop a methodology to include substrate and layer effects in plasmonic simulations within the MNPBEM toolbox, enabling more realistic modeling.

Findings

Efficient simulation of nanoparticles on substrates.

Implementation of Maxwell's equations with inhomogeneous dielectrics.

Demo files for various layered structures.

Abstract

Within the MNPBEM toolbox, developed for the simulation of plasmonic nanoparticles using a boundary element method approach, we show how to include substrate and layer structure effects. We develop the methodology for solving Maxwell's equations using scalar and vector potentials within the inhomogeneous dielectric environment of a layer structure. We show that the implementation of our approach allows for fast and efficient simulations of plasmonic nanoparticles situated on top of substrates or embedded in layer structures. The new toolbox provides a number of demo files which can also be used as templates for other simulations.