Handbook of Nanoplasmonics

The study of optical phenomena in the nanoscale vicinity of metal surfaces is referred to as nanoplasmonics. Researches in nanoplasmonics focus nanoscale light below the diffraction limit by converting free photons into localized charge-density oscillations or surface plasmons on noble-metal nanostructures. These serve as nanoscale analogs of radio antennas and are typically designed by using antenna theory concepts. The phenomenon when plasmonic resonance leads to optical field enhancement at the metal interface is called as plasmonic field enhancement. It has several applications in areas such as surface-enhanced spectroscopy, sensing, non-linear optics, and light-activated cancer treatments. It is also used for enhancement of light absorption in photovoltaics and photocatalysis. Photonic-plasmonic microcavity for ultrasensitive protein detection is another practical application of plasmonic field enhancement. This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to nanoplasmonics. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area of study as well as for experts.