The Science of Nanophotonics: How Light Interacts with Nanoscale Structures

The Science of Nanophotonics: How Light Interacts with Nanoscale Structures

Nanophotonics, also known as nano-optics, is the study of light behavior at nanometer scales where classical optics and quantum mechanics converge. This field has significant applications in areas such as high-resolution imaging, optical computing, quantum communication, and energy-efficient devices. Light, traditionally described by Maxwell’s equations, behaves differently when interacting with nanostructures due to phenomena such as plasmonics, photonic crystals, and near-field optics . In this article, we explore the science, mathematical formulations, technical calculations, equations, and applications of nanophotonics. 1. Fundamental Principles of Nanophotonics Nanophotonics deals with optical interactions in structures smaller than the diffraction limit of light (~200 nm). It relies on the following principles: 1.1 Maxwell’s Equations in Nanophotonics The behavior of electromagnetic waves in nanophotonics is governed by Maxwell’s equations : ∇ ⋅ E = ρ ε 0 , ∇ ⋅ B = 0 \nabla \cdot \mathbf{E} = \frac…