SPECIAL TOPIC-Plasmon-enhanced light-matter interactions Surface plasmaons enhanced light-matter interactions

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) have been widely investigated in the past decades. Due to their unique feature of field localization, optical energy can be strongly confined in the subwavelength and even nanoscale space. This strong confinement gives rise to dramatically increased electromagnetic field strength, leading to greatly enhanced light-matter interactions. The properties of SPP are strongly dependent on material, morphology and structure. The wavelength of surface plasmon resonance can be readily manipulated over broadband optical spectra, covering ultraviolet, visible, near infrared to far infrared. In this review article, both working principle and applications of surface plasmon enhanced light-matter interactions, such as fluorescence, Raman scattering, nonlinear optics, heat effects, photoacoustic effects, photo-catalysis, and photovoltaic conversion, are comprehensively reviewed. Besides, the current problems and future research directions of surface plasmons are discussed. Our paper provides valuable reference for future high-performance plasmonic device and technology applications.