Ultrafast nanoplasmonics under coherent control

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increased attention and rapid development in the field of nanoscale collective electronic dynamics on surfaces of metal nanostructures, which is due to excitations called surface plasmons (SPs). This field, known as nanoplasmonics, is very promising for such applications as the next generation optoelectronics, computations and information storage on the nanoscale, ultrasensitive detection of threats and spectroscopy of physical, chemical and biological nano-objects. Due to their broad spectral bandwidth, SPs possess ultrafast dynamics, with times as short as hundreds of attoseconds. In this paper, we discuss progress in the excitation, control and applications of the ultrafast nanoplasmonic fields. Special attention is devoted to attosecond visualization and coherent control of the nanoscale optical fields. Prospective applications of ultrafast nanoplasmonics are discussed. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.