← Back to Lab

Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Universal analytical modeling for rods, cages, disks, rings, bipyramids, and related shapes. Materials use the same tabulated n,k interpolation as the Mie scattering lab.

Validity: this analytical model is based on the electrostatic (quasi-static) approximation with geometry-only modal polarizabilities. It is not a fully retarded electrodynamic solution, so retardation and phase effects are approximate, especially for larger particles.

v1.0.0·Updated 2026-06-10
Model & Assumptions Beta
Model
Electrostatic (quasi-static) approximation with geometry-only modal polarizabilities. Retardation is added perturbatively via a radiative-reaction correction.
Assumptions
Particle much smaller than the wavelength (quasi-static limit). Isotropic, local dielectric response. Modal parameters are geometry-only fits from numerical simulations.
Validity
Best for particles below ~100 nm. Retardation and phase effects are approximate for larger sizes. Spectral positions are reliable; absolute cross-section magnitudes are less accurate than full-wave solvers.
Limitations
No inter-particle coupling, no substrate effects, no non-local corrections. Modal fits are available for a fixed set of geometries — custom shapes not supported.
References
C. Tserkezis et al., Part. Part. Syst. Charact. 31, 152 (2014); tabulated optical constants from Johnson & Christy, Palik, and others.
Geometries (three-dimensional) Nanorod
Extinction, absorption, scattering Cross sections per particle volume
Apparent color
scattered
transmitted
Peak λ — nm
Q factor — FWHM
Yield Y — at peak
σext / V — nm-1
Albedo — σsca/σext
Volume — nm3
Notes Dominant mode

Model: retarded dipolar polarizability from geometry-only modal fits. Cross sections are normalized by particle volume in the main spectrum view.

Homogeneous local-response particles in a uniform host. The scalar modal model does not provide exact near-field or LDOS maps.

Optical constants reuse the Lab's tabulated n,k interpolation from refractiveindex.info data; Au/Ag: Johnson & Christy (1972), Al: Rakic (1995), Cu: sparse fallback converted from the Yu et al. reference implementation.

Confirm Material Import

No file selected

Column 1Column 2Column 3

References

  • R. Yu, L. M. Liz-Marzán & F. J. García de Abajo, Universal analytical modeling of plasmonic nanoparticles, Chem. Soc. Rev. 46, 6710–6724 (2017), doi:10.1039/C6CS00919K. Reproduce: