Open AccessNumerical investigation of field enhancement by metal nano-particles using a hybrid FDTD-PSTD algorithm
Author(s) -
Wolfram Pernice,
F.P. Payne,
Dominic F. G. Gallagher
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.011433
Subject(s) - finite difference time domain method , computer simulation , solver , field (mathematics) , algorithm , optics , particle (ecology) , time domain , materials science , physics , computer science , mathematics , mechanics , oceanography , pure mathematics , computer vision , programming language , geology
We present a novel numerical scheme for the simulation of the field enhancement by metal nano-particles in the time domain. The algorithm is based on a combination of the finite-difference time-domain method and the pseudo-spectral time-domain method for dispersive materials. The hybrid solver leads to an efficient subgridding algorithm that does not suffer from spurious field spikes as do FDTD schemes. Simulation of the field enhancement by gold particles shows the expected exponential field profile. The enhancement factors are computed for single particles and particle arrays. Due to the geometry conforming mesh the algorithm is stable for long integration times and thus suitable for the simulation of resonance phenomena in coupled nano-particle structures.