Multiple Scattering Theories for Optical Properties of Composite Materials.

Abstract

Abstract : A theoretical model is formulated that predicts the optical properties of nonhomogeneous materials (cermets). It has been found that correlation effects due to the formation process of cermets, quantum size corrections, and renormalized corrections are essential ingredients of a realistic theory for the optical properties of cermets. This is particularly true in the high concentration regime f the metallic minority constituent (when concentration of the metal exceeds 10% volume fraction). The first smoothing approximation was used in the multiple scattering calculation in the context of the random continuum and distinct metallic island models for cermets. The T-Matrix renormalize calculation applied to the; distinct metallic island model for cermets was found to give the best predictive theory. This model predicted the frequency and height of the observed resonance in the imaginary part of the index of refraction with a high degree of precision for a wide regime of concentration and materials. Additional keyword: Thin films.