Optical Absorption Modeling of Arbitrary Shaped Nanoparticles

P. Mullin, G. Kozlowski, P.G. Kozlowski, J.D. Busbee and J.G. Jones
Wright State University, US

Keywords: nanoparticles, absorption, resonance

Abstract:
A method for modeling the optical absorption spectra of nanosize metal particles is demonstrated. Computer software has been developed to generate the absorption spectra from the particles geometry and material properties. The software breaks the particles' surface into small sites and builds a matrix describing site to site interactions. From this matrix and material properties the particles normal mode resonances are determined. The spectra is then a combination of these surface polarization mode resonances. With the model it is possible to simulate nearly any geometrical shape. Cubes with cut corners or edges, such as chemically fabricated silver or gold particles are possible. Long and thin bars such as nanotubes are also simulated. The particles may also be turned in successive simulations to predict the effect of a low density field of randomly oriented particles.

Nanotech 2004 Conference Technical Program Abstract