A statistical approach for interpreting the optical spectra of metal island films: effects of multiple scattering in a statistical assembly of spheres

We calculate the linear optical response of island films, considering, in p articular, a statistical character of the geometry of the cluster assembly as well as electromagnetic interaction between the clusters in the film. Th e work involves Monte Carlo simulations of the island-film growth followed by aggregate calculations of the island-film optical extinction. The result s of Monte Carlo simulations are compared with the transmission electron mi crographs of silver island firms on fused silica. The optical response of t he film has been approximated by the extinction of a statistical assembly o f spheres, whose sizes and positions have been obtained from the Monte Carl o simulations. The comparison of the calculation with oblique incidence opt ical transmission spectra allows us to illuminate the role of the various e ffects contributing to the transmission behaviour of the films.