Light scattering from an ordered array of needle-shaped organic nanoaggregates: Evidence for optical mode launching

Pronounced peaks in both photoluminescence and light scattering from an array of almost parallel oriented, needle-shaped organic nanoaggregates on mica are observed as a function of angle of incidence. Within the framework of a simple theoretical model, we identify those peaks as originating from the launching of normal modes in the nanofibers, both radiative and waveguiding. Quantitative information is obtained about the mode spectrum and morphology of nanoscaled objects from a simple far field scattering measurement. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.