Superscattering of light: fundamentals and applications

Abstract Superscattering, theoretically predicted in 2010 and experimentally observed in 2019, is an exotic scattering phenomenon of light from subwavelength nanostructures. In principle, superscattering allows for an arbitrarily large total scattering cross section, due to the degenerate resonance of eigenmodes or channels. Consequently, the total scattering cross section of a superscatterer can be significantly enhanced, far exceeding the so-called single-channel limit. Superscattering offers a unique avenue for enhancing light–matter interactions and can enable numerous practical applications, ranging from sensing, light trapping, bioimaging, and communications to optoelectronics. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the recent progress and developments in the superscattering of light, with a specific focus on elucidating its theoretical origins, experimental observations, and manipulations. Moreover, we offer an outlook on future research directions in superscattering, including potential realizations of directional superscattering, scattering-free plasmonic superscattering, enhancement of free-electron radiation and the Purcell effect via superscatterers, inelastic superscattering, and superscattering of non-electromagnetic waves.