Collective Near-Field Thermal Emission from Polaritonic Nanoparticle Arrays

TL;DR

This paper investigates the spectral characteristics of near-field thermal emission from nanoparticle arrays, highlighting the role of surface phonon polariton modes in shaping emission spectra, with analytical calculations for various array configurations.

Contribution

It provides an analytical framework using the coupled dipole model to explain near-field thermal emission from nanoparticle arrays, emphasizing the impact of propagating surface phonon polariton modes.

Findings

Surface phonon polariton modes dominate emission spectra when present.

Spectral differences are due to the existence or absence of propagating modes.

Analytical calculations match experimental observations for SiO2 and SiC arrays.

Abstract

The spectral characteristics of near-field thermal emission from nanoparticle arrays are explained by comparison to the dispersions for propagating modes. Using the coupled dipole model, we analytically calculate the spectral emission from single particles, chains, planes, and 3D arrays of SiO2 and SiC. We show that the differences in their spectra are due to the existence or absence of propagating surface phonon polariton modes and that the emission is dominated by these modes when they are present. This work paves the way for understanding and control of near-field radiation in nanofluids, nanoparticle beds, and certain metamaterials.