This book focuses on a research field that is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising ones for the global optics and photonics community: the “lab-on-fiber” technology. Inspired by the well-established "lab on-a-chip" concept, this new technology essentially envisages novel and highly functionalized devices completely integrated into a single optical fiber for both communication and sensing applications. Based on the R&D experience of some of the world's leading authorities in the fields of optics, photonics, nanotechnology, and material science, this book provides a broad and accurate description of the main developments and achievements in the lab-on-fiber technology roadmap, also highlighting the new perspectives and challenges to be faced. This book is essential for scientists interested in the cutting-edge fiber optic technology, but also for graduate students.

This volume contains papers presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) on Photons and Local Probes. The workshop had two predecessors. The first was the NATO ARW on Near Field Optics, held in October 1992 at Arc et Senans and was organized by Daniel Courjon and Dieter Pohl. The other predecessor was a workshop on Photons and Scanning Probe Microscopies held at the University of Konstanz in July 1992. The workshop on Photons and Local Probes was held at the Loechnerhaus on the Reichenau Island at the Lake of Constance, from September 11 to 17, 1994. The Reichenau Island was an important place in Europe in the middle age. Even the tomb of one of the carolingian emperors, Charles the Fat, is located there. At this workshop more than 60 scientists from Europe and the United States met to communicate their latest results in the field of local probes in combination with optical techniques. In eight sessions 31 talks as well as 9 posters were presented. Among those 31 publications were submitted for publication in the NATO proceedings. They were accepted after a strict, but constructive refereeing process.

Nanophotonics is where photonics merges with nanoscience and nanotechnology, and where spatial confinement considerably modifies light propagation and light-matter interaction. Describing the basic phenomena, principles, experimental advances and potential impact of nanophotonics, this graduate-level textbook is ideal for students in physics, optical and electronic engineering and materials science. The textbook highlights practical issues, material properties and device feasibility, and includes the basic optical properties of metals, semiconductors and dielectrics. Mathematics is kept to a minimum and theoretical issues are reduced to a conceptual level. Each chapter ends in problems so readers can monitor their understanding of the material presented. The introductory quantum theory of solids and size effects in semiconductors are considered to give a parallel discussion of wave optics and wave mechanics of nanostructures. The physical and historical interplay of wave optics and quantum mechanics is traced. Nanoplasmonics, an essential part of modern photonics, is also included.

This book discusses a new class of photonic devices, known as surface plasmon nanophotonic structures. The book highlights several exciting new discoveries, while providing a clear discussion of the underlying physics, the nanofabrication issues, and the materials considerations involved in designing plasmonic devices with new functionality. Chapters written by the leaders in the field of plasmonics provide a solid background to each topic.

This book describes the recently-discovered artificially curved light beam known as the photonic hook. Self-bending of light, a long-time goal of optical scientists, was realized in 2007 with the Airy beam, followed by the first demonstration of the photonic hook by the authors of this book and their collaborators in 2015 and experimentally in 2019. The photonic hook has curvature less than the wavelength, along with other unique features described in this book that are not shared by Airy-like beams, and so deepens our understanding of light propagation. This book discusses the general principles of artificial near-field structured curved light and the full-wave simulations of the photonic hook along with their experimental confirmation. The book goes on to show how the photonic hook has implications for acoustic and surface plasmon waves and as well as applications in nanoparticle manipulation.

"This groundbreaking book focuses on near-field microscopy which has opened up optical processes at the nanoscale for direct inspection. Further, it explores the emerging area of nano-optics which promises to make possible optical microscopy with true nanometer resolution. This frontline resource helps you achieve high resolution optical imaging of biological species and functional materials. You also find guidance in the imaging of optical device operation and new nanophotonics functionalities"--EBL.

This consistent and systematic review of recent advances in optical antenna theory and practice brings together leading experts in the fields of electrical engineering, nano-optics and nano-photonics, physical chemistry and nanofabrication. Fundamental concepts and functionalities relevant to optical antennas are explained, together with key principles for optical antenna modelling, design and characterisation. Recognising the tremendous potential of this technology, practical applications are also outlined. Presenting a clear translation of the concepts of radio antenna design, near-field optics and field-enhanced spectroscopy into optical antennas, this interdisciplinary book is an indispensable resource for researchers and graduate students in engineering, optics and photonics, physics and chemistry.