Tuning the forward scattering of magneto-optical particles by complex-frequency incident fields

The so-called oblique Kerker effect is a novel phenomenon in which directional scattering of light can occur at an arbitrary angle, controlled by the scatterer’s anisotropy. In this work, we study the oblique Kerker scattering in magneto-optical rods that exhibit optical anisotropy due to an external magnetic field. We found that, for a given external magnetization, the anisotropy can be further tuned at will, using complex frequency excitations, in the frame of an induced anisotropic virtual gain. This approach allows for controlling the scattering angle by changing the shape of the incident radiation, rather than altering the medium itself or the external magnetic field. Our analysis generalizes the Kerker conditions for multipolar-mode overlap in the presence of optical anisotropy and shows the mechanisms that control the angle at which destructive interference occurs. This approach introduces a significant advancement in the active steering of scattering by particles, providing unprecedented control over light manipulation in photonic applications.