Heuristic optimization for the design of plasmonic nanowires with specific resonant and scattering properties

In this contribution, we propose a computational tool for the synthesis of metallic nanowires with optimized optical properties, e. g. maximal scattering cross-section at a given wavelength. For this, we employ a rigorous numerical method, based on the solution of surface integral equations, along with a heuristic optimization technique that belongs to the population-based set known as Evolutionary Algorithms. Also, we make use of a general representation scheme to model, in a more realistic manner, the arbitrary geometry of the nanowires. The performance of this approach is evaluated through some examples involving various wavelengths, materials, and optimization strategies. The results of our numerical experiments show that this hybrid technique is a suitable and versatile tool straightforwardly extensible for the design of different configurations of interest in Plasmonics. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America