Experimental test of the mie theory for microlithographically produced silver spheres

Optical absorbance spectra were taken using microlithographically produced submicron silver spheres as samples. The spheres on each sample were of approximately uniform size, and several different samples were studied to determine the effect of sphere size on the optical absorbance. The results have been compared to theoretical calculations using Mie's scattering theory and the bulk optical properties of silver. The spheres were produced by heat treating evaporated silver on submicron quartz posts.