Using a coherent-potential approximation, in conjuction with
the on-shell method we developed for the study of photonic
crystals [1], we study the effect of moderate disorder on light
absorption by composite materials consisting of plasma spheres
embedded in a host dielectric medium. We analyze our results by
reference to the properties of a single sphere and to those of an
infinite crystal. We find, in particular, that the absorption of light
by a thin slab (a two-dimensional array of plasma spheres) is
affected more strongly by disorder, in comparison to the absorbance
of thick slabs consisting of many layers of spheres.
[1]: N. Stefanou, V. Karathanos, and A. Modinos,
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 4, 7389 (1992);
N. Stefanou, V. Yannopapas, and A. Modinos,
Comput. Phys. Commun.113, 49 (1998)