Light Localization and Lasing in a 3D Random Array of Small Particles

TL;DR

This study uses computer simulations to investigate light scattering and localization in a 3D random array of small particles, finding no evidence of localization but exploring gain effects and lasing thresholds.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed simulation analysis of light localization and lasing potential in 3D random nanoparticle arrays, highlighting the lack of localization under studied conditions.

Findings

No evidence of light localization was observed.

Energy is mainly confined near particles, not between them.

Gain can compensate losses but does not induce localization.

Abstract

The results of computer simulations of light scattering by a random array of small particles is presented. Results are given for arrays of particles situated randomly in a cubic, 3D sample $1.6\mu$ on a side with particle numbers ranging from 100 to 937. The material parameters used correspond to ZnO and Ag, over the wavelength range $300nm < \lambda < 400nm$. The particle diameter considered for ZnO is 50nm and for Ag 20nm. No evidence of light localization was found. Energy density calculations show that energy is mostly confined to the region near and in the scattering particles, and that little energy concentrates in the fields between particles. Gain was added to the ZnO system by adding a resonant term having Lorentzian line shape with a negative coefficient, which drives the imaginary part of the dielectric constant negative corresponding to gain. With gain in the system, the losses can be compensated; however, localization and loss compensation (which leads to a lasing threshold) are not connected. These results indicate that similar calculations with a larger number of scattering sites would still be of interest. This, however, will require very different numerical techniques than have hitherto been applied.