Title: Light Scattering in Nanophotonic Systems
Abstract: Gustav Mie outlined more than 100 years ago a quasi-analytical solution for light scattering at a sphere. It constitutes a algebraic solution to Maxwell’s equations, where the incident and scattered fields are expanded into a suitable basis set. A matrix then expresses the relation between the amplitude coefficients of the incident and scattered fields. The matrix is diagonal for a sphere. Still, this transition, or T-matrix, can be obtained numerically for more complicated objects. Even though mature at first glimpse, the topic continues to be vibrant, and many extensions have been made to explore light-matter interactions out of intellectual curiosity and to develop applications.
This presentation outlines these recent developments. It looks into four-dimensional metamaterials (made from periodically arranged objects made from a time-varying material) or photonic devices made from molecules, where the molecular properties are described with a T-matrix calculated using time-dependent density functional theory. Finally, we present efforts from a larger number of community members to define a standard for storing and distributing T-matrices. This would be one contribution from our community to lower our research's carbon footprint and enable data-driven research.
It takes place on October 15th at 4:15 pm in the physics lectrue hall 05.01. Carsten is an internationally renowned expert in nanophotonics, who gives excellent and understandable talks. Also, he bridges gaps between physics and chemistry by involving ab-initio calculations for the optical response of molecules.