Optical properties of nanocomposites: Percolation films, nanowires, and nanoholes

The optical properties of percolation films, nanowires, nanowire composites, and nanoholes composites were studied theoretically. Developed theory predicts the existence of localized plasmon modes in metal-dielectric percolation films when the metal concentration is close to the percolation threshold. Due to the plasmon localization local fields, local field fluctuations are extremely enhanced on the surface of percolation composite. This explains enormous enhancement of the nonlinear diffuse scattering by the percolation film. Also, localization of the plasmon modes and their coupling to optical phonon modes leads to the enhanced absorption by thick percolation composites. Our simulations show that spatial plasmon modes localization and unique local spectral characteristics of these modes make it possible to produce extremely sharp responses using the percolation composites.; The developed technique suggests the existence of propagating polariton modes in the metal nanowire, which explains the unique spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field around the metal nanowire. Our simulations show the existence of sharp plasmon resonance in single nanowire and localized plasmon modes in nanowire percolation composite. The specific nanowire composite, which has negative refractive index is suggested.; Development of recent Generalized Ohm's Law (GOL) approach allows us to explain extraordinary light transmittance by metal-nanoholes composite. The theory predicts large local field enhancement in such composite close to the transmittance resonance. The theory also predicts the plausibility of light nano-management using metal-holes composites.