What role do plasmonic nanoparticles play in optics?
Plasmonic nanoparticles are metallic nanoparticles that resonate with light at specific frequencies, leading to enhanced electromagnetic fields at their surfaces. These nanoparticles are used in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to amplify Raman signals, allowing for the detection of low-concentration analytes. They are also employed in optical metamaterials to manipulate light in unconventional ways.
