Nonstationary photonic jet from dielectric microsphere

A photonic jet commonly denotes the specific spatially localized region in the near-field forward scattering of a light wave at a dielectric micron-sized particle. We present the calculations of the transient response of an airborne silica microsphere illuminated by a femtosecond laser pulse. The spatial area constituting the photonic jet is theoretically investigated and the temporal dynamics of jet dimensions as well as of jet peak intensity is analyzed. The role of morphology-dependent resonances in jet formation is highlighted. The evolution scenario of a nonstationary photonic jet generally consists of the non-resonant and resonant temporal phases. In every phase, the photonic jet can change its spatial form and intensity.

► Near-field light scattering on a microparticle has a form of a “photonic jet”. ► Photonic jet produced by ultra-short laser pulse scattering possesses the nonstationary development phases. ► Generally, the time history of a nonstationary photonic jet consists of the non-resonant and resonant temporal phases. ► In every phase, the photonic jet can change its spatial form and intensity. ► Nonstationary jet parameters do depend on the particle MDR's.