Introduction

Abstract

This chapter outlines the framework of this handbook, which is composed of six parts. It reviews the theoretical picture of the dressed photon by combining the concepts of quantum field theory, optical science, and condensed-matter physics. The possibility of coupling a dressed photon with a coherent phonon is also presented, revealing a novel phonon-assisted process in light-matter interactions in nanometric space. Examples of the qualitative innovations made possible by applying nanophotonic principles to optical devices, fabrication techniques, energy conversion, and systems are also given.