Kerker-superscattering via gain media

Superscattering offers an enticing route to significantly enhance the scattering cross section of subwavelength scatterers, far exceeding the single-channel scattering limit. It is of paramount importance to many applications, such as optical sensing, antennas, and imaging. However, the superscattering phenomenon is generally accompanied with nonzero forward-scattered light. Here, we find the possibility of creating the exotic phenomenon of superscattering with zero forward-scattered light by exploiting the optical gain. The underlying mechanism is that the optical gain can facilitate the realization of not only the single-channel superscattering but also the second Kerker effect, which is intrinsically related to the zero forward scattering phenomenon. Because of the importance of the second Kerker effect in regulating the directionality of superscattering, this revealed phenomenon is termed as Kerker-superscattering.