I want to simulate LSPR absorption peak versus wavelength spectra for distributed Ag nanoparticles on a substrate. I wish to play with the refractive index(both real and imaginery part) of the substrate and see the effect on LSPR peak intensity and peak wavelength. I have SEM images of Ag nanomorphology. So, I have prior knowledge of shape and size distribution and interparticle distances.
I guess, this kind of simulation may be possible in FDTD or Comsol multiphysics software. Somehow I feel these softwares must be too heavy and difficult to learn directly as a beginner. Instead, I am looking for any lite free software (preferrably windows based) for such simulations. Any help will be much appreciated.
Hello. While I am not quite proficient in FDTD solvers, I am familiar with an open-source software called GSvit (http://gsvit.net/index.php) that you might find valuable to explore.
As it happens, I have made my FDTD software available a while ago. It might not be the fastest, but its serviceable and I believe it should be fairly straightforward, although such tools always require a bit of expertise. See https://youtu.be/O9roat-CzqE
With that said... while you can easily modify the real part of your substrate refractive index, FDTD is not really suitable if you want to tweak the imaginary part. This is due to it being a time domain method, and as such dispersive materials need to be described through a small subset of dielectric models.
I think it will be possible by CST. CST Software is easier comparing to LUMERICAL and COMSOL.
You can use the Matlab module MNPBEM (https://physik.uni-graz.at/de/mnpbem/), which uses boundary element method/method of moments and is specifically tailored for plasmonic nanoparticles. It can simulate nanoparticles on layered substrates as well if I recall correctly. You may also check the ScattPort database (https://scattport.org/), which compiles different open-source/free software for light scattering applications, such as T-matrix and discrete-dipole approximation codes.
Another option is Meep (FDTD), which is free and supports multiple dispersive material models. Nevertheless, it is unsupported in Windows as far as I remember and may require an Ubuntu installation.
https://meep.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
Dmitry Murzin Loïc O. Le Cunff Somayyeh Asgari Suat Barış İplikçioğlu
Thanks a lot to evry one of you for your valuable suggestion and your time in writing the answers. I will sincerely explore all the softwares, suggested by you and let you know my feedback.
Thanks a lot.
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