Demonstration of Zero Optical Backscattering from Single Nanoparticles

We present the first experimental demonstration of zero backscattering from nanoparticles at optical frequencies as originally discussed by Kerker et al. [Kerker, M.; Wang, D.; Giles, C. J. Opt. Soc. A 1983, 73, 765]. GaAs pillars were fabricated on a fused silica substrate and the spectrum of the backscattered radiation was measured in the wavelength range 600-1000 nm. Suppression of backscattering occurred at similar to 725 nm, agreeing with calculations based on the discrete dipole approximation. Particles with zero bacicscattering provide new functionality for metamaterials and optical antennas.