ELECTROMAGNETIC SCATTERING IN POLARIZABLE BACKGROUNDS

We develop a fully vectorial formalism for the investigation of electr omagnetic scattering in polarizable backgrounds, i.e., where the scatt erers are not in vacuum but situated in a medium with a dielectric per mittivity different from unity. Our approach is based on the Green's t ensor technique and the corresponding Green's tensors for two-dimensio nal (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) systems are developed. The analysi s of 2D systems is not restricted to the case where transverse electri c (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes are decoupled, but treated i n a general manner. Practical examples illustrate the application of t he method: scattering by a microcavity for two dimensions and color fo rmation in opal for three dimensions.