Electromagnetic scattering properties of individual Carbon Nanotubes with realistic three dimensional shapes

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) in composites exhibit a wide variety of complex shapes and are rarely perfectly straight even when they are highly aligned. Moreover, fabrication capabilities have advanced enough to allow the synthesis of CNT with specific three-dimensional shapes, e.g. helixes, rings, and Y-shaped junctions. The shape of the CNT has a profound effect on the mechanical properties of the composites as predicted by numerous simulations and measurements. However, electromagnetic scattering from CNTs with realistic shapes has not yet been quantified.