Absorption of electromagnetic radiation by a cylindrical metal particle

The cross section of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by a cylin drical metal particle is calculated. The calculation is performed in the lo w-frequency limit, in which the contribution of eddy currents to the absorp tion dominates, and for comparatively small particles (with radii of approx imate to 10 nm), which allows us to neglect the skin effect. The case when the mean free path of electrons in the metal bulk substantially exceeds the radius of the cylindrical particle is considered in detail. The specific a bsorption cross sections for spherical and cylindrical particles are compar ed. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".