Simulation of linear optical losses of absorbing heterogeneous thin solid films

We calculate the optical loss of composite materials, formed from statistic ally distributed metal nanoclusters embedded in an optically absorbing matr ix material. The method includes the generation of cluster assemblies using a Monte-Carlo approach to account for the statistical distribution of the clusters with respect to size, shape and arrangement, which is specific to the sample production procedure. Subsequently, the optical loss is calculat ed within the framework of the classical electromagnetic theory in terms of the optical response of spherical clusters. The effects of the electromagn etic interaction between the clusters in the assembly are described based o n the solution of the multiple scattering problem in non-absorbing host med ia (generalized Mie theory) extended to take into account absorption in the matrix In contrast to conventional optical mixing models our treatment con siders both absorption and scattering losses. We demonstrate the qualitativ e agreement of the calculated loss coefficient with experimental data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.