Chapter Four Development and Near-Field Characterization

Abstract

In recent years, we have witnessed a flurry of activity in the fundamental research and development of surface plasmon based structures and devices. Surface plasmons are collective charge oscillations that occur at the interface between conductors and dielectrics. They can take various forms, ranging from freely propagating electron densitywaves along metal surfaces to localized electron oscillations on metal nanoparticles. Their unique properties enable a wide range of practical applications, including light guiding and manipulation at the nanoscale, biodetection at the single molecule level, enhanced optical transmission through subwavelength apertures, and high resolution optical imaging below the diffraction limit. This book is intended for people entering this diverse and rapidly growing field, recently termed "Plasmonics". It covers the fundamentals of surface plasmon science as well as some of the exciting new applications. The contributing Authors include world leaders in the field. Together they provide an overview of the current state-of-the art and their personal views on where the field is heading. The Editors hope that by reading this book you will get caught up in the excitement and join us to define and shape the future of Plasmonics. © 2007 Springer.