The interaction of light with nanostructures has given rise to the rapidly growing field of subwavelength optics and has allowed the development of devices operating below the diffraction limit. In particular, when an electromagnetic wave interacts with metal nanoparticles smaller than the incident wavelength, a coherent oscillation of the conduction electrons occurs. This interaction causes a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), and when the incident wave is resonant with the LSPR frequency, the electromagnetic field intensity strongly increases in the near field of the nanostructure.

Scientists can easily tune the resonance frequency by changing the composition, size, geometry, and dielectric environment of the nanoparticles. Designing, understanding, and using such nanostructures has permitted many applications ranging from surface-enhanced spectroscopies and bio-chemical sensing to metasurfaces and lithographic fabrication.

This Research Topic will discuss the science and applications of nanophotonics and plasmonics and will highlight some of the most exciting recent progress in the field. We'll explore the theory and application of plasmonic and dielectric resonances, analyzing how novel materials and architectures allow innovations beyond conventional optics, driving performance limits for devices at the nanoscale level.

By manipulating photons at a scale far below the wavelength of light, scientists are opening new opportunities in disciplines from physics to chemistry, material science, energy, information technologies, and communication. Meta-optics, the artificial structuring of materials, and plasmonics can create optical properties that allow unprecedented control over light.

We welcome the submissions of Reviews, Original Research articles, and Perspectives in areas including, but not limited to:
• Meta-optics: Experiments and simulations
• Novel plasmonic materials and architectures
• Nanophotonic devices
• Hot carrier plasmonics
• Active plasmonics

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Frontiers in Physics

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