Optics at the Nanoscale

Since 2001, there has been an explosive growth of scientific interest in the role of plasmons in optical phenomena including guided-wave propagation and imaging at the subwavelength scale, nonlinear spectroscopy and negative index metamaterials. The unusual dispersion properties of metals near the plasmon resonance enables excitation of surface modes and resonant modes in nanostructures that access a very large range of wavevectors over a narrow frequency range, and accordingly, resonant plasmon excitation allows for light localization in ultra-small volumes. This feature constitutes a critical design principle for light localization below the free space wavelength and opens the path to truly nanoscale plasmonic optical devices. This principle, combined with quantitative electromagnetic simulation methods and a broad portfolio of established and emerging nanofabrication methods creates the conditions for dramatic scientific progress and a new class of subwavelength optical components.

This conference: The guiding principle of a Gordon Conference is the presentation of new, unpublished work and the free, unhampered discussion that follows. All presentations are given by invited speakers, and also discussion leaders are leading experts in the field. This is the second Plasmonics GRC following a highly successful debut meeting in July 2006.