| Abstract | Nano-Optics is the study of light-matter interaction at the sub-wavelength scale. It is an flourishing field of fundamental and applied research enabled by the rapid advance of nanotechnology. Nano-optics embraces topics such as plasmonics, optical antennas, optical trapping and manipulation, and high/super-resolution imaging and spectroscopy. |
| Learning objective | Understanding concepts of light localization and light-matter interactions on the sub-wavelength scale. |
| Content | We start with the angular spectrum representation of fields to understand the classical resolution limit. We continue with the theory of strongly focused light, the point spread function, and resolution criteria of conventional microscopy, before turning to super-resolution techniques, based on near- and far-fields. We introduce the local density of states and approaches to control spontaneous emission rates in inhomogeneous environments, including optical antennas. Finally, we touch upon optical forces and their applications in optical tweezers. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | - Electromagnetic fields and waves (or equivalent)
- Physics I+II |
Performance assessment as a semester course