Introduction to Plasmonics: Advances and Applications

Plasmonics is a highly dynamic field, and a number of researchers and scientists from other disciplines have become involved in it. This book presents the most widely employed approaches to plasmonics and the numerous applications associated with it. There are several underlying elements in plasmonics research. Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have made possible the fabrication of plasmonic nanostructures, deposition of thin films, and development of highly sensitive optical characterization techniques. The different approaches to nanostructuring metals have led to a wealth of interesting optical properties and functionality via manipulation of the plasmon modes that such structures support. The sensitivity of plasmonic structures to the changes in their local dielectric environment has led to the development of new sensing strategies and systems for chemical analysis and identification. The book discusses all of these aspects.

Sabine Szunerits is professor of chemistry at the Université de Lille 1, France, and was nominated in 2011 a member of the Institut Universitaire de France. Her current research interests are in the area of materials science with emphasis on the development of novel analytical platforms and interfaces for the study of affinity binding events and in the modification of nanostructures (diamond particles, magnetic particles, and nanographene) for biomedical applications. She is a co-author of more than 186 research publications, has written several book chapters, and has 6 patents to her credit.

Rabah Boukherroub is a director of research at the CNRS, France, and a group leader at the Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology, Université de Lille 1. His research interests are in the area of synthesis of functional nanomaterials (metal and semiconductor nanoparticles, semiconductor nanowires, graphene, carbon nanodots, etc.), surface chemistry, and photophysics of semiconductor/metal nanostructures with emphasis on biosensors and lab-on-chip applications, drug delivery, and development of new tools for studying molecular dynamics in vivo. He is a co-author of more than 310 research publications and has written 22 book chapters in subjects related to nanotechnology, materials chemistry, and biosensors. He has 9 patents or patents pending.