Dependent scattering and fractal microstructure determine the transparency of aerogel monoliths

Yalcin, Refet A.; McNeil, Patricia E.; Bhanawat, Abhinav; Martinez, Ricardo; Kashanchi, Glareh N.; Tolbert, Sarah H.; Dunn, Bruce S.; Pilon, Laurent

doi:10.1063/5.0238739

Dependent scattering and fractal microstructure determine the transparency of aerogel monoliths

Journal Article · Fri Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · APL Photonics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0238739· OSTI ID:2549434

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This study reveals how dependent scattering and microstructure significantly affect electromagnetic wave propagation through aerogel monoliths, contributing to their transparency. Light scattering by particle ensembles is considered “dependent” when the scattering properties rely not only on particle size and optical constants but also on their spatial distribution, typically occurring when the average interparticle distance is small in comparison with the wavelength of incident radiation. Addressing dependent scattering requires solving Maxwell’s equations for complex heterogeneous structures, which is computationally demanding and usually limited to sample thicknesses on the same scale as the wavelength. This study combines computer-generated ambigel microstructures of fractal aggregates of polydisperse nanoparticles and the radiative transfer with reciprocal transaction method to predict the transmittance of thick ambigel slabs. Transmittance measurements of ambiently dried aerogel monoliths (ambigels) with porosities from about 50% to 90% closely matched the predicted values for their digital twins. However, ignoring dependent scattering or particle aggregation led to inaccurate predictions. This study validated the computational framework, and its findings offer insights for designing photonic metamaterials and analyzing their interactions with electromagnetic waves.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AR0000738

OSTI ID:: 2549434

Journal Information:: APL Photonics, Journal Name: APL Photonics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 10; ISSN 2378-0967

Publisher:: American Institute of PhysicsCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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