Cross sections for surface plasmon polariton scattering from a nanoparticle in the dipole approximation

The differential and total cross sections for the scattering of surface electromagnetic waves in the optical frequency range (surface plasmon polaritons, SPPs) from a small particle into waves in the near-field zone (SPPs) and into waves propagating from the surface to the far-field zone have been calculated within the framework of the dipole approximation. The efficiencies of these scattering channels are compared as dependent on the main parameters of the system. An increase in the wavelength of the radiation exciting SPPs at a plane dielectric-metal interface (air-gold) may lead to a change in the most effective scattering channel.