Macroscopic dielectric response of the metallic particles embedded in hostdielectric medium

A theoretical approach is proposed to calculate an effective dielectric con stant of a matrix disperse system (MDS) of metallic particles (spheres) ran domly distributed and embedded in a uniform dielectric medium. Deviations f rom the well-known Maxwell-Garnett formula have been observed. The effectiv e dielectric constant for different volume fractions of the embedded partic les is considered as well as the dependence on pair interaction between par ticles, and the relation between sizes of each pair of particles. The probl em is solved in the electrostatic approximation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.