A photon jet is a narrow, highly collimated beam of light that is formed when light interacts with small dielectric microstructures, such as microspheres or microcylinders. This phenomenon arises due to the focusing effect caused by the scattering and interference of light waves.
When a beam of light interacts with a dielectric microstructure that is much smaller than the wavelength of light, such as a subwavelength particle, it can produce constructive interference along certain directions, leading to the formation of a highly concentrated beam known as a photon jet. The size and direction of the photon jet depend on various factors, including the size and shape of the microstructure, the wavelength of light, and the refractive index of the medium.
Photon jets have applications in various fields, including optics, photonics, and microscopy. They can be used for high-resolution imaging, optical trapping and manipulation of particles, and enhancing the performance of optical devices and sensors.