Finite-difference time-domain and near-field-to-far-field transformation in the spectral domain: application to scattering objects with complex shapes in the vicinity of a semi-infinite dielectric medium

J Opt Soc Am A Opt Image Sci Vis. 2011 May 1;28(5):868-78. doi: 10.1364/JOSAA.28.000868.

Abstract

We present the study of a spectral-domain near-field-to-far-field (NFTFF) transformation, taking into account an interface in the vicinity of a particle. This technique is associated with a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) model, which solves the Maxwell equations in the time domain. Moreover, material properties are considered with the use of dispersion models. First, particular attention is paid to the description of the modeling, especially concerning the NFTFF transformation using the dyadic Green tensors. Second, several simulation cases are considered to evaluate the ability of the developed technique to model the scattering by different kinds of "particles/interface" configurations and for various illuminating waves. Then validation test cases are used in order to assess the model accuracy through comparisons with T-matrix simulations. Finally, perspectives to this work and its application to near-field detection devices are discussed.