10. Glossary

Aggregates; clusters

A subcategory of nanoparticles, when the latter are small in size, i.e., composed of a few dozen to a few hundred atoms.

Biosensor

Sensor capable of detecting biomolecules in a fluid. Plasmonic biosensors consist of plasmonic nanoparticles suspended in a fluid or fixed to a substrate. They use the sensitivity of plasmon resonance to the index of the surrounding medium to detect the target biomolecule.

Optical near field

Non-propagating component of the electromagnetic field generated by a nanoparticle when it is excited by an incident wave. The field created by a nanoparticle comprises several components: a component that propagates over long distances and can be detected in the far field by a microscope, camera, or the naked eye, and near-field...