Optical characteristics of a cluster of closely-packed dielectric spheres

We employ the pseudospectral time-domain technique to simulate light scattering by a cluster of mono-disperse dielectric spheres. The total scattering cross-section (TSCS) spectrum of the cluster is obtained and analyzed. Research findings show that the TSCS spectrum exhibits characteristics of the cluster geometry as a whole, as well as characteristics of the constituent dielectric spheres. Furthermore, an optical signature indicative of the constituent sphere size is identified, suggesting the possibility to obtain microscopic geometrical information of a closely-packed geometry from multiply scattered light.