Improved near-field calculations using vectorial diffraction integrals in the finite-difference time-domain method

We present an alternative mixed-surface implementation of the Stratton-Chu vectorial diffraction integrals as a means to improve near-field calculations outside the computational domain of the finite-difference time-domain method. This approach, originally derived for far-field calculations, reduces the effect of phase errors and reduces storage costs compared to standard single-surface implementations performed using arithmetic and geometric means. All three methods are applied to a strongly forward-scattering sphere, which is the gold standard for similar simulations with a corresponding analytical Mie series solution. Additionally, the mixed surface is applied to an ensemble of theoretical flow cytometry calibration standards in optical gel. The near-field electromagnetic scattering produced by these or any arbitrary object, such as a cell, could be used to simulate images in a high-numerical-aperture microscope. The results show the mixed-surface implementation outperforms the standard techniques for calculating the near-field electromagnetic fields. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America