Plasmonics - optics at the nanoscale
July 23 - 28, 2006
Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
Chair: Prof. Albert Polman, Center for Nanophotonics, FOM-Institute AMOLF, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Vice-chair: Prof. Harry A. Atwater, Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
Plasmonics
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This conference: The guiding principle of a Gordon Conference is the presentation of new, unpublished work and the free, unhampered discussion that follows.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 oral presentations are given by invited speakers and also discussion leaders are leading experts in the field. All attendants not giving an oral presentation are invited to present a poster at the conference. Poster sessions will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Over 180 scientists applied to the conference. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, only 120 could accepted to the conference. For more infomation, see the Gordon Research Conference website. It is the first time a GRC is held about this topic, and if the conference is successful, a continuing GRC series on Plasmonics may be established.
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