Multiple light scattering and near-field effects in a fractal treelike ensemble of dielectric nanoparticles

We numerically study light scattering and absorption in self-similar aggregates of dielectric nanoparticles, as generated by simulated ballistic deposition upon a surface starting from a single seed particle. The resulting structure exhibits a complex treelike shape, intended to mimic the morphologic properties of building blocks of real nanostructured thin films produced by means of fine controlled physical deposition processes employed in nanotechnology. The relationship of scattering and absorption cross sections to morphology is investigated within a computational scheme which thoroughly takes into account both multiple scattering and near-field effects. Numerical results are compared with a preexisting single-scattering limited analytical treatment of light scattering in fractal aggregates of small dielectric particles.