  Random Al and Ag nanoparticle distributions are studied on varying
substrates, where we exploit the nanosphere self-aggregation method (NSA) for
fabrication. Relying on the measured particle size distributions of these
samples, we develop a theoretical model that can be applied to arbitrary random
nanostructure layers as is demonstrated for several distinct NSA samples. As a
proof of concept, the optical properties of the exact same particles
distributions, made from the quasi random modeling input with electron beam
lithography (EBL), are investigated from both theory and experiment. Our
numerical procedure is based on rigorous solutions of Maxwell's equations and
yields optical spectra of fully interacting randomly positioned nanoparticle
arrays. These results constitute a new methodology for improving the optical
performance of layers of nanoparticles with direct application to enhanced
photovoltaics.

Optics;Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics