Nanoglass: present challenges and future promises

Abstract

This presentation provides a panoramic overview of the recent progress in nanoglass plasmonics, challenges, excitement, applied interests and the future promises. A glimpse of our gamut research activities with some significant results is highlighted and facilely analyzed. The term 'nanoglass' refers to the science and technology dealing with the manipulation of the physical properties of rare earth doped inorganic glasses by embedding metallic nanoparticles (NPs) or nanoclusters. On the other hand, the word 'plasmonics' refer to the coherent coupling of photons to free electron oscillations (called plasmon) at the interface between a conductor and a dielectric. Nanoglass plasmonis being an emerging concept in advanced optical material of nanophotonics has given photonics the ability to exploit the optical response at nanoscale and opened up a new avenue in metal-based glass optics. There is a vast array of nanoglass plasmonic concepts yet to be explored, with applications spanning solar cells, (bio) sensing, communications, lasers, solid-state lighting, waveguides, imaging, optical data transfer, display and even bio-medicine. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) can enhance the optical response of nanoglass by orders of magnitude as observed. The luminescence enhancement and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are new paradigm of research. A thumbnail sketch of the fundamental aspects of SPR, LSPR, SERS and photonic applications of various rare earth doped/co-doped binary glasses containing metallic NPs are presented. The recent development in nanoglass in the context of Malaysia at the outset of international scenario is projected.