Dielectric spheres with maximum forward scattering and zero backscattering: a search for their material composition

Nanoparticles exhibiting zero backscattering but a large scattering cross section in the forward direction should play a key role as light diffracting elements in photonic devices like solar cells. Using Mie theory we address lossless dielectric spheres that were recently reported to possess a magnetodielectric response to the illuminating wave, and analyze their scattering cross section together with their zero-backwards scattering conditions. We show that there is an optimum particle refractive index (m = 2.47), which yields maximum forward scattering without backwards scattering of light.Work supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of Spain through grants FIS2012-36113-C03-03 and FIS2014-55563-REDC, and by the Comunidad de Madrid P2009/TIC-1476. J J S acknowledges an Ikerbasque Visiting Fellowship