Plasmonic lattice Kerker effect in ultraviolet-visible spectral range

Abstract

Mostly forsaken, but revived after the emergence of all-dielectric nanophotonics, the Kerker effect can be observed in a variety of nanostructures from high-index constituents with strong electric and magnetic Mie resonances. A necessary requirement for the existence of a magnetic response limits the use of generally nonmagnetic conventional plasmonic nanostructures for the Kerker effect. In spite of this, we demonstrate here the emergence of the lattice Kerker effect in regular plasmonic Al nanostructures. Collective lattice oscillations emerging from the delicate interplay between Rayleigh anomalies and localized surface plasmon resonances both of electric and magnetic dipoles, and electric and magnetic quadrupoles result in suppression of the backscattering in a broad spectral range. Variation of geometrical parameters of Al arrays allows for tailoring the lattice Kerker effect throughout UV and visible wavelength ranges, which is close to impossible to achieve using other plasmonic or all-dielectric materials. It is argued that our results set the ground for wide ramifications in the plasmonics and further application of the Kerker effect.