Computational Nano-optics: Parallel Simulations and Beyond

Maxim Sukharev

Modern theoretical optics often delves into the interaction between light and nanomaterials of complex geometries, and it relies on heavy numerical simulations. This article explores recent breakthroughs in the areas of plasmonics and nanopolaritonics and then describes how to assemble your own supercomputer in order to gather data on nanoscale optics.

 

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The growing field of nano-optics owes its rapid development to the remarkable progress that has been made in nanofabrication techniques and advances in laser technology. With new tools, researchers can now go far beyond the diffraction limit, investigating the optical properties of nanoscale systems, from nanoparticles to individual atoms and molecules. Among several fascinating questions that we face about nanostructural materials is whether we can control light at the subdiffraction scale. If we can, we can set our aim to developing optical nanodevices and nanoscale coherent sources operating in the visible region of the spectrum.

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