Abstract

Scattering of light from homogeneous spherical particles can exhibit sharp resonances as functions of particle size, wavelength, or refractive index. Such resonances, usually known as morphology-dependent resonances or whispering gallery modes, have been exhaustively studied using Mie theory. This paper demonstrates that the Debye series expansion provides a succinct and easily understood representation of these resonances: For example, the Debye coefficient $R_n^{121}$ determines (a) the exact conditions for resonance, (b) the number of terms required to replicate the Mie result, and (c) the $Q$-factor of the resonance.

© 2021 Optical Society of America

Assessing the contributions of surface waves and complex rays to far-field Mie scattering by use of the Debye series

Edward A. Hovenac and James A. Lock
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 9(5) 781-795 (1992)

Debye series for light scattering by a spheroid

Feng Xu, James A. Lock, and Cameron Tropea
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 27(4) 671-686 (2010)

Debye series analysis of scattering of a plane wave by a spherical Bragg grating

James A. Lock
Appl. Opt. 44(26) 5594-5603 (2005)

Cooperative effects among partial waves in Mie scattering

James A. Lock
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 5(12) 2032-2044 (1988)

Debye-series analysis of the first-order rainbow produced in scattering of a diagonally incident plane wave by a circular cylinder

James A. Lock and C. L. Adler
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14(6) 1316-1328 (1997)