Collective Effects in the Formation of an Ensemble of Photonic Nanojets by an Ordered Microassembly of Dielectric Microparticles

Abstract

The results of theoretical studies of spatially localized near-field light structures (photonic nanojets) formed when laser radiation is scattered on a meta-surface having the form of an ordered single-layer assembly of dielectric microparticles (spheres, cones) embedded in a transparent matrix (silicone film) are presented. The behavior of the main parameters of the localized light structures (length, width, and peak intensity) under the effects of light fields of neighboring microparticles is thoroughly analyzed by using computational electrodynamics to solve Maxwell’s equations with the finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD). It is ascertained that the main factors which affect the parameters of photonic nanojets under study are the spatial orientation of the microcones and the depth of their immersion in the silicone matrix. It is shown that several spatial configurations of the microassembly of the cones allow the creation of an ensemble of photonic nanojets with specific parameters, which are unattainable for isolated microcones. Ordered clusters of spherical particles have an advantage in terms of a comprehensive assessment of the parameters of photonic nanojets.