Applied Nanophotonics, Liquid Crystals and Biomedical Optics

Commonplace optical biosensing techniques include the classical techniques of optical spectroscopy, polarimetry, and ellipsometry, in addition to more modern techniques such as surface plasmon resonance and guided waves. Currently state-of-the-art techniques under extensive investigation include whispering-gallery waves and surface-enhanced optical phenomena near metallic nanoparticles. A succinct overview of the fundamentals of these techniques accompanies remarks on commercial successes and research accomplishments.