Plasmonics: Applications to nanoscale terahertz and optical devices

This paper reviews the main physical aspects involved in plasmonic devices, which are considered as a route to subwavelength devices and represents one of the most studied areas of nanophotonics. The paper presents a comprehensive introduction into the various physical mechanisms that generate the surface plasmon polariton—an electromagnetic surface wave confined to the interface between a metal and a dielectric. In this context, basic applications, such as sensors or waveguides, are briefly mentioned. Then, after presenting the main mechanisms for surface plasmon generation and detection, the most important devices based on plasmons are described in detail.