Ultra-directional forward scattering by a high refractive index dielectric T-shaped nanoantenna in the visible

Abstract

In this work, we design and numerically demonstrate a touching dielectric nanoantenna with high directionality. This antenna consists of a dielectric cuboid dimer with different heights, and there are no gaps between the subunits of the dimer. Superior unidirectional scattering is achieved when the electric and magnetic dipolar modes inside the antenna satisfy the first Kerker condition. This unidirectional scattering is much more prominent than its components (i.e., the dielectric cuboid nanoantennas with different heights) in the considered spectral region. Furthermore, the radiation angle can be tailored in a 10-degree range by properly rotating the antenna along the out of axis. The off-normal scattering is due to the interference between one induced magnetic dipole and two electric dipoles inside the nanoantenna. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that similar unidirectional scattering effect can also be maintained when the antenna is close to an electric (or magnetic) dipole source, and the forward emission direction can be efficiently controlled by the relative position of the dipole source. Finally, we show that it is possible to further enhance the unidirectionality by arranging the antenna in an array and the main lobe angular beam width of the 2D far-field pattern can be reduced to 28 degree.