A special focus issue on nanoplasmonics and metamaterials, specific fields of nano-optics, which discusses the interaction of matter and light at nanoscale, has been published by the editors of Optical Materials Express (OMEx), an open-access journal of the Optical Society (OSA).
Purdue University’s Vladimir Drachev, who also serves as the Associate Editor at OMEx, and Guest Editor Romain Quidant of Spain-based Catalan Institute for Research in Advanced Studies and the Institute of Photonic Sciences edited and organized the issue.
The prospective of the nano-optics field, which widens the concepts and capabilities of traditional optics down to the nanoscale and towards miniature photonic equipment that is not restricted by diffraction, is the first major drive behind the issue. In addition to miniaturization, another inspiration that crops up from the new physics when the downsizing of matter to sizes that are relatively smaller when compared to the wavelength of light.
Nanoplasmonics investigates the optical characteristics of nanoscale devices that support surface plasmons. Following the finding of surface-enhanced Raman scattering during the 1970s, the field gained popularity. With the assistance from advanced nanofabrication technologies, nanoplasmonics research has been successfully utilizing noble metal nanostructures, particularly gold and silver nanostructures, to manipulate light fields well above diffraction limits, ensuing improved light interaction with small quantities of matter down to the level of a single molecule.
In the metamaterials field, scientists target at designing a group of sub-wavelength units that act as efficient materials with unprecedented properties. The experimentally demonstrated negative refraction and challenging theoretical proposals, including invisibility and superlensing at optical frequencies have driven a huge interest on artificial materials.