Light scattering and surface plasmons on small spherical particles

TL;DR

This paper reviews the fundamental physics of light scattering by small spherical particles, highlighting recent theoretical and experimental advances, novel plasmonic effects, and diverse applications in biomedical sensing and energy technologies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments and new insights in light scattering and surface plasmons on small spherical particles.

Findings

Discovery of novel plasmonic effects

Advances in optical trapping and tweezers

Potential applications in biomedical sensing and solar energy

Abstract

Light scattering by small particles has a long and interesting history in physics. Nonetheless, it continues to surprise with new insights and applications. This includes new discoveries, such as novel plasmonic effects, as well as exciting theoretical and experimental developments such as optical trapping, anomalous light scattering, optical tweezers, nano-spasers, and novel aspects and realizations of Fano resonances. These have led to important new applications, including several ones in the biomedical area and in sensing techniques at the single-molecule level. There are additionally many potential future applications in optical devices and solar energy technologies. Here we review the fundamental aspects of light scattering by small spherical particles, emphasizing the phenomenological treatments and new developments in this field.