1. Context

With the rapid development of nano-optics and nanophotonics, optics has its place in the field of nanotechnology.

Until the 1980s, optics was an important component of microtechnology. Microscopy, lithography and spectroscopy were then being optimized and developed on spatial resolution scales ranging from 0.5 to a few microns. More precisely, optics enabled numerous breakthroughs (optical telecommunications, analysis of living organisms, data storage...) while remaining within its fundamental limit of spatial resolution defined by Ernst Abbe at the end of the 19th century. This limit is set at λ/2n, where λ is the wavelength of light and n is the refractive index of the light's propagation medium. The position of optics (and visible light in particular) in the electromagnetic spectrum shows that this spectral range represents a subtle compromise. Indeed, the ultimate...