Morphology-dependent resonances in eccentrically stratified spheres

Calculations based on an exact theory have been made of the scattering properties of spherical particles possessing arbitrarily placed spherical inhomogeneities. The inclusions are homogeneous but of otherwise arbitrary composition and are limited in size only by that of the host. It has been found that a single inclusion, though having a volume of only 10(-6) that of the host, can produce large fluctuations in light scattered by the system as the inclusion passes through regions of high local intensity. The resonance spectrum of a glycerol droplet with inclusions centered in a hot spot reveals that the inclusions cause a spectral shift of the resonance peak. The directions of the shifts are consistent with the phase-matching conditions that must be met by photons traversing an orbit inside the host in order for a resonance to be sustained. Absorption spectra of systems with inclusions that are also large enough to sustain resonances are examined as well.