Three-Dimensional Plasmonic Nanoswitch: Extreme Variation of Scattering Properties upon Rotation

The anomalous interaction of light with plasmonic materials has fascinated scientists and non-scientists for centuries. The recent interest in research on anomalous resonant phenomena involving plasmonic nanoparticles may be associated with the relevant advancements in nanotechnology of the last decade, which allow realization of artificial materials with a tailored anomalous electromagnetic response, with large design flexibility. We have recently proposed several novel applications that involve plasmonic nanoparticles, employed as nanoantennas, nanocircuit elements or nanowaveguides. In particular, in the framework of our recent paradigm for scaling the circuit concepts to optical frequencies [1], we have suggested that the combination of plasmonic and non-plasmonic nanoparticles may give rise to a novel type of circuitry at frequencies (IR and optical) at which metals lose their highly conductive properties. In this context, we have proposed the synthesis and design of nanotransmission-lines [2-3] and backward-wave nanomaterials [4], the optical equivalent of connecting "shorting" wires [5], combinations of parallel and series nanocircuit elements [6-7] and basic collections of nanofilters [8].