Plasmon resonant light scattering on spheroidal metallic nanoparticle embedded in a dielectric matrix

The efficiency of light scattering on metal nanoparticles with an excitation of plasmon resonance electron vibrations is calculated. The behavior of the light scattering in a region of the surface plasmon resonance is studied in detail. A simple universal formula for light scattering cross-section by a metal nanoparticle with different shape embedded in any dielectric media is obtained. It is shown that the distance between the doublet peaks makes it possible to estimate the degree of oblateness or prolateness of a nanoparticle. The sensitivity to the shape and size of a metal nanoparticle, as well as to the scattering angle is illustrated for the Au nanoparticle. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2012